@article{b841f2f28ef444f7a3a209429690a152,
title = "Too Limited Use of Prophylactic Mesh After Open AAA Repair in Belgium and The Netherlands?",
author = "Maxime Dewulf and {De Wever}, Nick and {Van Herzeele}, Isabelle and Mees, {Barend M E} and Muysoms, {Filip E} and Bouvy, {Nicole D}",
note = "Funding Information: Both the use of a 4:1 SL/WL and the use of prophylactic mesh after open AAA repair remain uncommon practice among vascular surgeons in Belgium and The Netherlands, despite currently available evidence supporting the use of a both in preventing incisional hernias. RCTs did not show an increase in mesh related complications, which has been reported as the main reason not to use mesh in this survey.1,3 By relying on voluntary responses, the survey may have been subject to response bias. Surgeons that have strong opinions on the topic or great interest in ongoing literature were probably more probably to respond. This may have led to over estimation of the use of prophylactic mesh. As these numbers were low among respondents, it is unlikely that this would greatly change the overall conclusions of this research letter. For privacy reasons, it was not possible to report objectively on response rates. This was addressed by reporting on the proportion of centres from which at least one answer was received, but limits interpretation of the findings. Whether or not placement of a prophylactic mesh after AAA repair should be done by a dedicated abdominal wall surgeon is debatable. However, in most of the available studies supporting its use, hernia surgeons placed the prophylactic mesh. A clear recommendation in future guidelines, supported by well designed trials with longer follow up, could lead to more widespread adoption of a 4:1 SL/WL and use of prophylactic mesh among vascular surgeons.",
year = "2022",
month = may,
doi = "10.1016/j.ejvs.2022.02.031",
language = "English",
volume = "63",
pages = "775--776",
journal = "European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery",
issn = "1078-5884",
publisher = "Elsevier Saunders",
number = "5",
}