Mesh Plug Hernia Repair

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A mesh plug hernia repair has revealed encouraging results in inguinal hernia repair. This article compares our results with both conventional hernia repair and the mesh plug hernia repair procedure. METHODS: From January 1999 to October 2000, we performed 171 herniorrhaphies. Among these cases, we analyzed 49 cases of mesh plug hernia repair and 47 cases of conventional hernia repair. We recorded incidents of recurrence, postoperative complications, surgical time, duration of hospital stay, and the use of narcotics and antibiotics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences observed concerning recurrence, postoperative complications, duration of hospital stay, or the use of antibiotics and analgesics, however the surgical time was significantly reduced in the mesh plug hernia repair procedure. (55.51+/-25.46 minutes versus 65.65+/-18.87 minutes, P<0.05) CONCLUSION: Compared with the conventional sutured surgical technique, a mesh plug hernia repair uses less overall dissection and ensures a tension free hernioplasty, resulting in a shortened surgical time, greater patient comfort, rapid rehabilitation, decreased recurrence and lower rates overall complications.