Study on the Efficacy of Prophylactic on Lay Mesh in Preventing Post-operative Hernia in Liver Transplant Patients

Study Design: Single-blinded, randomized, prospective clinical trial. Study Population: End-stage liver disease patients' candidates for liver transplantation. Study procedures: Consenting patients will be divided into two matched groups: 1. CONTROL group - receiving a standard running fascial closure with PDS suture 2. TREATMENT group - receiving a standard running fascial closure with PDS suture PLUS a low molecular weight mesh. The mesh will be secured to the fascia extending 3 cm from the incisional site. There will be no modifications to routine post-operative wound care in both groups. However, the treatment group will have an additional drain placed at the incision site compared to the control group to reduce the risk of a seroma from placement of the mesh. Wound dressing will be removed on post-op day 2 and the wound will be assessed. Re-application of the dressing will occur thereafter until proper healing of the incision. An abdominal ultrasound will be done on all study participants at the 1- and 2-year mark postoperatively to look for objective evidence of a ventral incisional hernia. A CT scan will be performed if the abdominal ultrasound findings are inconclusive.