Dissolution of Biofilm Secreted by Three Different Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Bromelain, N-Acetylcysteine, and Their Combinations

Bacterial infection of hernia mesh with the formation of biofilms presents a barrier to antibiotic treatment with subsequent surgical intervention and hospitalization. Hence, in the current study, we examined the effect of BromAc, a mucolytic agent, on the dissolution of biofilm formed by three different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was carefully grown on hernia mesh and treated with various concentrations of bromelain, NAC, and their combinations at 37 °C over 4 h in vitro. Then, the biofilm dissolution activities of the agents were evaluated. Moreover, the combination index (CI) was analyzed to determine the synergy of the bromelain and NAC combination. The results indicated that biofilms were more susceptible to degradation by bromelain, whilst NAC showed growth enhancement in two of the strains. However, in combination (BromAc), the three strains were dramatically affected by the agents, with more than 80% debridement fir a suitable combination of bromelain and NAC that was also strain-specific. Hence, the current study shows that the biofilms formed by these three strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were adversely affected by a single treatment of BromAc, with more than 80% debridement, indicating that subsequent treatment may abolish the biofilm completely.

OV07 LAPAROSCOPIC HIATAL HERNIA MESH-SUTURE REPAIR

Aim “A new original laparoscopic operative technique was used to suture paraesophageal hernia (PEH) with the strips of mesh. Material and Methods The Mercilen (MercilenTM) mesh suture was used to close large hiatal hernia. The strips of mesh, instead of normal thread, were applied to close the gap between diaphragm’s crura in 12 patients with hernia defect more than 5 cm. Mesh suture were tighten as a simple laparoscopic intracorporeal knot. The surgical technique and surgical outcomes are presented. Results 12 patients underwent a laparoscopic PEH suturing with Mercilen strips of mesh. We recorded no recurrence or dysphagia at 6 and 12 months follow-up. Conclusions Mesh-sutured repairs of diaphragm’s hernia support the concepts of force distribution and resistance to suture pull through. The new original technique avoids using the sheet of mesh and enables to reduce the amount of dangerous complications connected with mesh and its fixation. Mesh-sutured closures of hiatal hernias seem to be safe and effective in tension closure of large hiatal defects. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the results. Using the mesh suture technique for the closure of large PEH, we protect the cruras from being cutting through. Besides, the mesh stripes and its knots produce tissue scarring around the esophagus making the suture line stronger.

P044 ATRAUMATIC AND CONSISTENT HERNIA MESH FIXATION: PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY IN A LAPAROSCOPIC IPOM PORCINE MODEL

Aim Demonstrate the performance and safety of TISSIUM on-demand activated adhesive for atraumatic hernia mesh fixation in a laparoscopic IPOM porcine model. Material and Methods Full thickness 4 cm in diameter excisional abdominal defects (n = 14) were created in pig (n = 8). The defects were repaired through laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh placement using commercial composite meshes fixed with TISSIUM adhesive (n = 8) or resorbable tacks (n = 6). The animals were sacrificed after 28 and 90 days. An independent pathologist evaluated abdominal adhesion, mesh shrinkage, local tissue tolerance and tissue ingrowth through histological analysis (H&E and Movat Pentacrome) at sacrifice. Fixation strength of the explanted abdominal walls was also assessed via burst-ball. Results No adverse events were observed at implantation or during the survival period. All the meshes were in place at sacrifice. Mesh shrinkage and abdominal adhesion scores were similar between the two groups. Histological analysis of the mesh demonstrated equivalent quality of tissue ingrowth and excellent local tissue tolerance with minimal/mild foreign body response and mononuclear cells inflammation. The repair strength, evaluated through a burst ball method 90 days after implantation, showed no significant difference between the TISSIUM adhesive and tacks. Usability is currently being evaluated in clinically relevant models. Conclusions In this preclinical study the TISSIUM adhesive demonstrated similar fixation strength and quality of repair when compared to commercial tacks. This technology has the potential to impact hernia procedures standardization and reduce pain often associated with current fixation technologies.

P157 EFFECTS OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE SCIENTIFIC PUBLICATIONS IN HERNIA FIELD

Aim The increase in the number of publications in the hernia field has been higher than the most of our areas of surgery. COVID-19 pandemics has affected many elective surgical procedures like hernia repairs. We assumed that the declines in case volumes might cause some falls in related publications, and searched the literature in order to find the number of herniology publications before and during the pandemic. Material and Methods A systematic PUBMED search was done for three consecutive decades “1991-2000”, “2001-2010” and “2011-2020” by using the key words “inguinal and hernia”, “umbilical and hernia”, “incisional and hernia”, “mesh and hernia”, “laparoscopic and hernia”, “robotic and hernia”, and “experimental and hernia”. Later, a comparison of years 2019 and 202o was done. Results Although increases were detected for all searches with the key words, the largest rise was seen in publications related to “robotic and hernia”. Some undulations were recorded during the years, but the number of publications showed obvious increases decade by decade. A very small decrease was found in the number of publications for “experimental and hernia” only, however all other searches presented increases during the first year of the pandemic, 2020 in comparison with 2019. Conclusions The increases in the number of publications in hernia field continued during the last decade. COVID-19 pandemic did not cause a decrease in these publications the first year. We assume that year 2021 can be a more correct criteria in order to observe the potentially negative effect of the pandemic.

P046 ATRAUMATIC AND CONSISTENT HERNIA MESH FIXATION: PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY IN A LAPAROSCOPIC IPOM PORCINE MODEL

Aim Demonstrate the performance and safety of TISSIUM on-demand activated adhesive for atraumatic hernia mesh fixation in a laparoscopic IPOM porcine model. Material and Methods Full thickness 4 cm in diameter excisional abdominal defects (n = 14) were created in pig (n = 8). The defects were repaired through laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh placement using commercial composite meshes fixed with TISSIUM adhesive (n = 8) or resorbable tacks (n = 6). The animals were sacrificed after 28 and 90 days. An independent pathologist evaluated abdominal adhesion, mesh shrinkage, local tissue tolerance and tissue ingrowth through histological analysis (H&E and Movat Pentacrome) at sacrifice. Fixation strength of the explanted abdominal walls was also assessed via burst-ball. Results No adverse events were observed at implantation or during the survival period. All the meshes were in place at sacrifice. Mesh shrinkage and abdominal adhesion scores were similar between the two groups. Histological analysis of the mesh demonstrated equivalent quality of tissue ingrowth and excellent local tissue tolerance with minimal/mild foreign body response and mononuclear cells inflammation. The repair strength, evaluated through a burst ball method 90 days after implantation, showed no significant difference between the TISSIUM adhesive and tacks. Usability is currently being evaluated in clinically relevant models. Conclusions In this preclinical study the TISSIUM adhesive demonstrated similar fixation strength and quality of repair when compared to commercial tacks. This technology has the potential to impact hernia procedures standardization and reduce pain often associated with current fixation technologies.