Initial experience and short term outcome of open tension - free mesh ingninal hernia repair

ABSTRACT

This study reported an initial experience and short-term outcome of open tension free mesh hernia repair. Thirty male patients underwent open tension-free inguinal hernia repair at El-Minia University Hospital using polypropylene [prolene] mesh. The mean patient age was 43 years [range 21 - 65]. Twenty-eight patients were operated for the first time, whereas two patients were operated on for recurrent hernias. Twenty-five hernias were indirect inguinal hernias. All patients had unilateral hernias. The mean operative time was 35 min [range 30-40]. The mean length of hospital stay was 1.5 days. Eighteen patients were discharged on the first postoperative day, nine patients were discharged on the second day, while three patients stayed in the hospital for three days because of wound infection. Four patients developed wound hematoma. Twenty-nine patients experienced mild pain that was effectively alleviated with the non-narcotic analgesic, while only one patient had moderate pain that required a single dose of narcotic analgesic. Three patients had mild urinary retention that was treated conservatively without the need for catheterization. No recurrence was noted during a follow-up period of 18 to 24 months. This initial experience confirmed the safety and simplicity of open tension-free mesh inguinal hernia repair with low rate of recurrence