Role of prophylactic mesh in emergency midline laparotomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Prophylactic mesh in emergency laparotomy closure poses a clinical dilemma: it lowers the risk of incisional hernia but prolongs surgery and increases seroma and wound complications.

Current evidence underscores the trade-off between long-term prevention and short-term morbidity.

Larger, protocol-driven trials with long-term follow-up are needed to determine in which patients and wound classes mesh reinforcement is justified.