Abdominal Wall Tension Following Mesh Excision

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to use a scale to learn more about the tension of the abdominal wall before and after mesh removal. The main questions this study aims to answer are: How does mesh excision affect abdominal wall tension? What patient factors contribute to greater abdominal wall tension after excision? Do patients who undergo mesh excision have greater abdominal wall tension than physiologic tension (0-1 lbs) at baseline and/or after mesh excision? Participants will be asked to allow their surgeon to use a tension scale to measure the tension of the abdominal wall during surgery.

Detailed Description
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This is a prospective cohort study. Patients who undergo mesh excision will have the tension of their abdominal wall measured prior to mesh excision and after mesh excision using a tension scale. The scale is an investigational (experimental) device that works by attaching to surgical clamps during surgery to measure the tension on the abdominal wall. The study operations will be performed at Cleveland Clinic by six hernia surgeons with advanced abdominal wall reconstruction training.

Official Title
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Abdominal Wall Tension Following Mesh Excision

Conditions
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Mesh Excision, Mesh Infection

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Abdominal wall tension measurement


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with a history of prior hernia repair with synthetic mesh in place who are planned to undergo mesh excision will be included. Exclusion Criteria: Patients under the age of 18 years and pregnant patients.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: Abdominal wall tension measurement|All patients will have the tension of their abdominal wall measured during surgery using a tension scale or tensiometer.|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in abdominal wall tension in patients undergoing mesh excision | The difference between tension measurements prior to mesh excision and after mesh excision will be calculated. | 2 year | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Patient factors that contribute to greater abdominal wall tension after excision | Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative history, operative details, hernia size and width and abdominal wall tension will be collected and analyzed to determine what factors contribute to abdominal wall tension. | 2 year | 
| Comparison between abdominal wall tension before and after mesh excision to current knowledge of physiologic tension | Median abdominal wall tension will be determined and compared to current knowledge of physiologic tension | 2 year |