Results of prosthetic mesh repair in the emergency management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated groin hernias: a 10-year study

The aim of this prospective study was to present a 10-year experience with the use of prosthetic mesh repair in the management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated groin hernias. Patients with acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated groin hernias were treated by emergency repair of the hernia using a Prolene mesh. The presence of non-viable intestine necessitating resection-anastomosis of the bowel was not considered a contraindication to the use of mesh. The present study included 234 patients. Their age ranged from 16 to 85 years with a mean of 55.9 +/- A 17.7 years. The hernia was indirect inguinal in 201 patients (85.9 %), direct inguinal in 5 patients 5 (2.1 %), hernia of canal of nuck in 13 patients (5.6 %) and femoral in 15 patients (6.4 %). Thirty patients (12.8 %) had recurrent hernias. Resection-anastomosis of non-viable small intestine was performed in 32 patients (13.7 %). There were 5 perioperative mortalities (2.1 %). Complications were encountered in 41 patients (17.5 %) and included wound infection in 14 patients (6 %), scrotal hematoma in 9 patients (3.8 %), chest infection in 8 patients (3.4 %), deep vein thrombosis in 2 patients (0.9 %), transient deterioration of liver function in 11 patients (4.7 %) and mesh infection in 1 patient (0.5 %). Follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 120 months with a mean of 62.5 +/- A 35.3 months. Two recurrences (0.9 %) were encountered throughout the study period. The use of prosthetic mesh repair in the emergency management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated groin hernias is safe. The presence of non-viable intestine cannot be regarded as a contraindication for prosthetic repair.