Evaluation of ECHO PS Positioning System in a Porcine Model of Simulated Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair

Purpose . Operative efficiency improvements for laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) have focused on reducing operative time while maintaining overall repair efficacy. Our objective was to evaluate procedure time and positioning accuracy of an inflatable mesh positioning device (E cho PS Positioning System), as compared to a standard transfascial suture technique, using a porcine model of simulated LVHR. Methods . The study population consisted of seventeen general surgeons ( n = 17) that performed simulated LVHR on seventeen ( n = 17) female Yorkshire pigs using two implantation techniques: (1) V entralight ST Mesh + E cho PS Positioning System (E cho PS) and (2) V entralight ST Mesh + transfascial sutures (TSs). Procedure time and mesh centering accuracy overtop of a simulated surgical defect were evaluated. Results . E cho PS demonstrated a 38.9% reduction in the overall procedure time, as compared to TS. During mesh preparation and positioning, E cho PS demonstrated a 60.5% reduction in procedure time ( P < 0.0001). Although a trend toward improved centering accuracy was observed for E cho PS (16.2%), this was not significantly different than TS. Conclusions . E cho PS demonstrated a significant reduction in overall simulated LVHR procedure time, particularly during mesh preparation/positioning. These operative time savings may translate into reduced operating room costs and improved surgeon/operating room efficiency.