Management of mesh infection after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the characteristics and surgical management of mesh infection after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia.Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 87 patients with mesh infection after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia at the Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery,Beijing Chaoyang Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The most frequent type of repair was plug implantation, accounting for 57.5% of the procedures. The most common clinical presentation was a chronic sinus. 79.3% patients had a >3-month history of chronic infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common bacteria. All patients underwent open debridement. Fifty-one patients had a complete removal of the infected mesh, and 36 had partial removal. All patients were followed up for 18.7-54.2 months. There was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection, seroma, hematoma, inguinal hernia recurrence, and chronic pain between those with complete removal and that partial removal (all P>0.05). Seventeen cases suffered recurrent sinus in the partial mesh removal group, and the incidence was significantly higher than that in the complete mesh removal group ( P<0.001). Conclusion:Infected mesh removal is an effective treatment for mesh infection after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia and should be removed as completely as possible.