Porcine acellular dermal matrix for delayed abdominal wall closure after pediatric liver transplantation

• Published in: Pediatric transplantation Vol. 18; no. 6; pp. 594 - 598
• Main Authors: Caso Maestro, O., Abradelo de Usera, M., Justo Alonso, I., Calvo Pulido, J., Manrique Municio, A., Cambra Molero, F., García Sesma, A., Loinaz Segurola, C., Moreno González, E., Jiménez Romero, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Denmark Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-09-2014
• Subjects: Abdominal Wall - surgery; Acellular Dermis; Animals; Child, Preschool; hernia; Humans; Infant; Liver Transplantation; Male; partial liver grafts; pediatric transplantation; Retrospective Studies; Surgical Mesh; Swine; Treatment Outcome; partial liver grafts; pediatric transplantation; hernia; liver transplantation
• ISSN: 1397-3142; 1399-3046
• DOI: 10.1111/petr.12319

Children are one of the groups with the highest mortality rate on the waiting list for LT. Primary closure of the abdominal wall is often impossible in the pediatric population, due to a size mismatch between a large graft and a small recipient. We present a retrospective cohort study of six pediatric patients, who underwent delayed abdominal wall closure with a biological mesh after LT, and in whom early closure was impossible. A non‐cross‐linked porcine‐derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix; LifeCell Corp, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) was used in all of the cases of the series. After a mean follow‐up of 26 months (21–32 months), all patients were asymptomatic, with a functional abdominal wall after physical examination. Non‐cross‐linked porcine‐derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice™) is a good alternative for delayed abdominal wall closure after pediatric LT. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the best moment and the best technique for abdominal wall closure.