Comparative study between open anterior approaches using the prolene patch and open posterior [pre-peritoneal] using a configured prolene mesh in treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia

ABSTRACT

Recurrence of inguinal hernia is not an infrequent problem seen by the surgeon. Usually repair of such hernia is technically more demanding than a primary repair, with a potential for new recurrence and a high risk of complications. The objective of this study is to compare between the anterior approach using the prolene patch and a pre-peritoneal approach with prolene mesh configuration. A comparative study was done from June2004 to December 2006, at Assiut university hospital on thirty patients with recurrent inguinal hernia selected for this prospective comparative study. The studied patients were allocated into two groups group A [anterior approach n=15 patients] and group B [posterior approach n= 15 patients]. Thirty patients with recurrent inguinal hernia were operated. All of them were males. Incidence of cord injury in group A was 6.6%, while no injury of the occurred in group B. the incidence of haematoma [6.6%], scrotal oedema [20%] and testicular atrophy [6.6%] were encountered in group A while no reported cases were seen in group B. Although both anterior and posterior approachs are effective treatment modalities for treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias, yet the open pre-peritoneal approach is technically easier, safer, cheaper, is followed by minimal morbidity and has a low re-recurrence rate