Effect of tension free inguinal hernia repair with mesh on testicular perfusion

Tension-free inguinal hernia repair with mesh was reported to have the best results as regards postoperative pain, patient's comfort and hospital stay, with the lowest recurrence rates ever reported. Few reports were concerned with the local effects of the mesh shrinkage and the resulting fibrosis on the adherent cord structures including testicular vessels. Seventy-eight males with unilateral uncomplicated primary inguinal hernia were included in this prospective study, underwent tension-free repair with polypropylene mesh. Operative and postoperative data were recorded. Pre- and postoperative testicular ultrasound and colored duplex study were performed to all patients to compare testicular volume and perfusion before, three months and every 6 months after the repair and with the contralateral non-operated side. The mean operative time was 42 +/- 12 minutes, hospital stay was 1.3 +/- 0.5 days and pain score 1.9 +/- 0.4. There was no recurrence. There was no significant difference as regards testicular volume and perfusion before and after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia. Tension-free inguinal hernia repair with mesh is confirmed to be a simple, effective and safe technique. With no to date proved effect on testicular perfusion in spite of the proposed hypothesis of mesh shrinkage, fibrosis and adherence of the cord structures to the mesh