This is a prospective, single-center, randomized, two-arm trial assessing the impact of
Ovitex mesh on paraesophageal hernia recurrence. This study will occur at Cleveland
Clinic Foundation in Cleveland, OH. A total of 164 patients will be enrolled in this
study. The anticipated accrual rate is approximately 7 per month for a total accrual
period of approximately 24 months.
Patients may be enrolled into the study provided all inclusion and no exclusion criteria
are met as specified in Section 4. Subjects will be evaluated through hospital discharge
and return for follow-up visits at 1 month (10 days-45 days) and annually through 2 years
postoperatively. Total estimated duration for the trial is 4 years for the primary
outcome with an additional 3 years for longer term follow up resulting in a total of 7
years.
Several approaches to limiting bias are included in this trial.
Intraoperative bias- limited by randomization just prior to crural closure
Blinded outcome assessors/study team including 3 surgeons reviewing recurrence
imaging
Single blind - patients blinded to intervention Devices included in this study
include Ovitex mesh and pledgets which are both used to reinforce the repair at the
crura. Ovitex mesh is FDA approved for this indication.
Study Endpoints Primary Endpoint The primary endpoint of this study is the binary 2-year
rate of radiographic recurrence of the paraesophageal hernia, defined gastroesophageal
junction at least 2 cm above the hiatus on upper GI studies, CT, or MRI. Anatomical
recurrence assessed via imaging is the gold standard of diagnosing recurrence, and thus
is the most appropriate primary outcome.
Secondary Endpoints
Patient quality of life (measured at baseline, 30 days, and annually)
EQ5D
EQ-VAS
Decision regret index (only measured annually)
GERD-HRQL
Presence of regurgitation, chest pain, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting,
postprandial pain, cardiovascular, and pulmonary symptoms
Immediate recurrence rates (within 45 days of surgery)
Reoperation rates throughout the study
Cost
Safety endpoints:
Intraoperative complications: solid organ injury, etc.
Clavien-Dindo complications
Comprehensive Complications Index
Foregut complications requiring re-interventions
While anatomic recurrence is extremely important from a surgical perspective, patients
often have variable impacts of recurrence on quality of life. Furthermore, there is
significant variability in symptoms for patients with recurrence. These secondary
outcomes will help us to characterize the impact of potential recurrences on the patient.
Additionally, immediate recurrences offer insight into possible issues with the repair
and are important to evaluate. Rates of reoperation can indicate the severity of the
recurrence's impact on quality of life. Given the concerns about mesh complications,
safety endpoints are necessary. Since the use of mesh is more expensive than not using
mesh, collecting data on cost will help in future cost effectiveness analyses.