Quality of Life in Ventral and Hiatal Hernia Repair: Review of Long-Term Patient Outcomes in Two Large Case Series

A fundamental goal of hernia repair is providing a durable closure. Whether early or late, hernia recurrence is a complication associated with patient dissatisfaction and increased costs. Unlike many once-promising reinforcement materials abandoned as a result of failure or adverse outcomes, the poly(glycolide:trimethylene carbonate) (PGA:TMC) copolymer bioabsorbable web scaffold GORE^® BIOA^® Tissue Reinforcement remains a proven option for hernia repair after 10 years of widespread use. Two distinct and extensive experiences with this bioabsorbable scaffold material—alone or incorporated into the hybrid hernia repair device GORE^® SYNECOR Biomaterial— demonstrate why appropriate tissue reinforcement with these unique biomaterials has been shown to lower the risk for hernia recurrence and may also preserve quality of life (QOL) for patients.