Abstract
Objective: To document the early outcome of open mesh repair in the management of inguinal hernia.
Study design: An observational study.
Sampling technique: Non-probability purposive.
Place & duration: Department of Surgery, Nawaz Sharif Social Security Hospital, Lahore from June 2007 to June 2010.
Material & method: 420 patients of inguino-scrotal hernias underwent open mesh repair were analyzed for early post-operative outcome as surgical site infection, haematoma, seroma, discharging sinus. Data were collected by filling special design proforma for each patient. Follow up visits were scheduled at one week, six weeks, twelve weeks post operatively.
Results: Polypropylene mesh repair was done in 420 patients, all were adult males. Age ranged from 18-72years, mean 46 years. 278 (66.19%) were right sided and 142(33.80%) left sided. Four (0.95%) were recurrent hernias and two (0.476%) were bilateral. Post-operatively 392(93.33%) had uneventful recovery, 2 (0.476%) had major wound infection required mesh removal while 10 (2.38%) had minor wound infection. 10 (2.38%) developed seroma and 06 (1.42%) had scrotal hematoma. No discharging sinus was noted.
Conclusion: Open mesh repair for inguinal hernia is a safe and effective technique, associated with low morbidity. It is associated with minimal post operative infective complications as it was feared in the past because of presence of foreign body (Mesh).