Combined open prostatectomy and pre peritoneal repair of concurrent inguinal hernia

To determine whether concurrent inguinal hernia in patients undergoing open prostatectomy can be safely and effectively repaired by the preperitoneal approach. A retrospective descriptive study from 1994 to 2004. Surgical Department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Four hundred and ninety eight patients with Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy. All the patients had their history taken, and thorough examination and appropriate investigations done. They underwent open prostatectomy and pre peritoneal repair of the inguinal hernias. Postoperative complications including wound infection, pelvic collection, secondary hydrocoeles, nerve injuries, persistent groin pain, testicular atrophy, hernia recurrence, etc. were assessed during each follow-up visit. Out of the 498 patients that underwent open prostatectomy during the study period, 47 [9.4%] underwent additional 53 preperitoneal hernioplasties; in six patients the hernias were bilateral. In 39 [73.5%] cases the hernias were indirect and in 14 [26.5%] direct. Apart from two [3.7%] recurrences no other postoperative complications were noted that were attributable to the hernia repair. Hernia repair can be performed safely and expeditiously during open prostatectomy using the pre peritoneal approach. This approach avoids a potential future operation as well as the potential complications of unrepaired hernias