Feasibility of the application of a resorbable polyglycolic-acid mesh (Dexon mesh) to prevent complications of radiotherapy following gynaecological surgery.

The first ten applications of an absorbable polyglycolic-acid mesh to keep small bowel from descending into the pelvis during postoperative radiation treatment, are described. Two of the ten patients developed mild symptoms of (sub)ileus that could be treated conservatively. In two patients GI tract series revealed that a small bowel loop had slipped outside the sling and had descended into the pelvis. To prevent this condition an interlocked running suture to adjust the mesh is recommended. It is concluded that this intestinal sling procedure is a feasible surgical method causing only mild postoperative complaints or no symptoms at all. The sling procedure is effective to keep the small bowel out of the pelvis following surgery in patients who may require postoperative radiation treatment for pelvic malignancy.