Diaphragm reconstruction by GORE DUALMESH in patients undergoing resection for thoracic malignancies

BACKGROUND: We used GORE DUALMESH for the reconstruction of diaphragms in patients with thoracic malignancies. Here, we report the results. METHODS: Between July 2015 and August 2017, diaphragm reconstruction using 2-mm GORE DUALMESH was performed in 7 patients undergoing surgical resection for thoracic malignancies. After resection of the diaphragm, the mesh was trimmed to the size of defect and placed with the smooth surface facing the chest cavity and the rough surface facing the abdomen. It was fixed with interrupted sutures consisting of synthetic monofilament nonabsorbable 1–0 to 2 threads. RESULTS: Indications for resection were malignant pleural mesothelioma and primary lung cancer in 5 and 2 patients, respectively. Patients with malignant pleural mesothelioma underwent pleurectomy with decortication; patients with primary lung cancer underwent lung lobectomy. Right and left diaphragm reconstruction was performed for 4 and 3 patients, respectively. Neither complications related to diaphragm reconstruction nor displacement of mesh occurred during a follow-up period ranging from 11 days to 37 months. CONCLUSIONS: GORE DUALMESH is a good synthetic material for diaphragm reconstruction, because its smooth surface prevents adhesions to the lung and its rough surface allows adherence to abdominal tissue.