Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hiatal hernia surgery with OviTex mesh - what to know
By Cammock H et al.·2026·Department of Surgery, United States·View original on Europe PMC →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Characteristics and Outcomes of OviTex Mesh in Laparoscopic Hiatal Hernia Repair with Fundoplication and Mesh.
- Species:
- sheep
Plain-English summary
This study looked at using a special type of mesh called OviTex 1S during surgery to fix hiatal hernias, which are bulges in the stomach that can cause symptoms like heartburn. The researchers followed 108 patients who had this surgery over a period of up to two years. They found that while some patients had their hernia come back after surgery, most saw a significant improvement in their heartburn symptoms and were able to stop taking medication for it. Overall, using OviTex 1S was safe and helped improve patients' quality of life, but there are still questions about how well it works in the long term.
Abstract
<h4>Background</h4>Laparoscopic repair is the standard treatment for symptomatic paraesophageal and mixed hiatal hernias; however, recurrence rates remain high, particularly in large defects. Mesh reinforcement has been used to improve outcomes, but the optimal mesh type remains debated. OviTex 1S, a reinforced tissue matrix composed of ovine extracellular matrix and polypropylene, has demonstrated safety in abdominal wall reconstruction, though data for hiatal hernia repair are limited.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a prospective, single-arm, single-institution study evaluating laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with OviTex 1S mesh between January 2020 and February 2024. Adults with radiologic or endoscopic confirmation of hiatal hernia requiring mesh reinforcement were included. Primary endpoints were hernia recurrence and reflux symptom improvement. Secondary endpoints included quality of life, assessed using reflux severity scores and the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)-Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) survey. Patients were followed at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months.<h4>Results</h4>Of 443 patients undergoing paraesophageal hernia repair, 108 received OviTex 1S reinforcement. Mean age was 65.5 years, mean body mass index (BMI) 28.1 kg/m², and 82.2% were female. Three perioperative recurrences (2.8%) required reoperation. Overall recurrence occurred in 21 patients (19.4%), most beyond six months. GERD-HRQL scores improved by more than 50% at 12 months (20 ± 4.75 vs 4 ± 7; <i>P</i> = .02). Proton pump inhibitor use declined from 91.6% preoperatively to 9.4% postoperatively. No mesh-related erosions or strictures were observed.<h4>Conclusions</h4>OviTex 1S mesh reinforcement during laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair is safe, improves reflux-related quality of life, and demonstrates low early recurrence. Long-term benefits remain limited, warranting larger multicenter studies.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41971170