Hospital wide porcine mesh conversion results in cost savings with equivalent clinical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: A variety of biologic mesh is available for ventral hernia repair. Despite widely variable costs, there is no data comparing cost of material to clinical outcome.

METHODS: Biologic mesh product change was examined. A prospective survey was done to determine appropriate biologic mesh utilization, followed by a retrospective chart review of those treated from Sept. 2012 to Aug. 2013 with Strattice™ and from Sept. 2013 to Aug. 2014 with Permacol™. Outcome variables included complications associated with each material, repair success, and cost difference over the two periods.

RESULTS: 28 patients received Strattice™ and 41 Permacol™. There was no statistical difference in patient factors, hernia characteristics, length of stay, readmission rates or surgical site infections at 30 days. The charges were significantly higher for Strattice™ with the median cost $8940 compared to $1600 for Permacol™ (p < 0.001). Permacol™ use resulted in a savings if $181,320.

CONCLUSIONS: Permacol™ use resulted in similar clinical outcomes with significant cost savings when compared to Strattice™. Biologic mesh choice should be driven by a combination of clinical outcomes and product cost.