• Aida K Sarcon, Omar A Selim, Barbara L Mullen, Benjamin F Mundell, Steven L Moran, and K Robert Shen.
• Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
• J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg. 2024 Jun 13.

ObjectiveThe study objective was to evaluate the success of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh in chest-wall reconstruction.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) chest-wall reconstruction. The main outcome was a mesh-related event, defined as a mesh-related reoperation (eg, mesh infection requiring debridement with/without explant, tumor recurrence with explant) or structural dehiscence/mesh loosening with/without a hernia. Demographics and surgical outcomes were reported.ResultsA total of 246 reconstructions met inclusion (1994-2021). Fifty-five reconstructions (22.4%) had mesh-related events within a median of 1.08 years (interquartile range, 0.08-4.53) postoperatively; those without had a stable chest for a median of 3.9 years (interquartile range, 1.59-8.23, P < .001). Forty-one meshes (16.6%) became infected, requiring reoperation. Eighty-eight percent (36/41) were completely explanted; 8.3% (3/36) required additional mesh placement. Predictors of mesh-related events were prior chest-wall radiation (odds ratio, 9.73, CI, 3.47-30.10, P < .001), higher body mass index (odds ratio, 1.08, CI, 1.01-1.16, P = .019), and larger defects (odds ratio, 1.48, CI, 1.02-2.17, P = .042). The risk of mesh-related events with obesity was higher with prior chest-wall radiation.ConclusionsMost patients (78%) with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene mesh had a stable reconstruction after a median of 4 years. Obesity, larger defects, and prior chest-wall radiation were associated with a higher risk of a mesh-related event mostly due to mesh infections. Seventeen percent of reconstructions had reoperation for mesh infection; 88% were completely explanted. Only 8% required replacement mesh, suggesting that experienced surgeons can safely manage them without replacement. Future studies should compare various meshes for high-risk patients to help guide the optimal mesh selection.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.

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