Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery
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Comparative Study
Early results for new lightweight mesh in laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair.
Prosthetic mesh reinforcement is now routine in the management of inguinal hernia but can cause considerable pain and stiffness around the groin. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome after laparoscopic TEP inguinal repair using new lightweight or traditional heavyweight mesh performed in a single unit. Between November 2004 and March 2005, 113 patients underwent laparoscopic TEP inguinal repair using either lightweight (28 g/m(2)) or heavyweight (85 g/m(2)) mesh. ⋯ Laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair with lightweight mesh yields promising early results. Whilst there was no significant difference in pain or recurrence in the short term, post-operative pain scores improved earlier in patients with lightweight mesh compared to heavyweight mesh. This merits further study, with larger cohorts and longer follow-up, to determine the benefits of lightweight mesh.
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Case Reports
A rare cause of intestinal obstruction: incarcerated femoral hernia, strangulated obturator hernia.
Obturator hernia may occur bilaterally in association with another hernia, which is usually of the femoral type. We present a 77-year-old-woman who had abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting together with swelling of the right groin for 3 days. Incarcerated right femoral hernia and consequent mechanical small-bowel obstruction was diagnosed, and urgent operation was undertaken. ⋯ During exploration, the real cause of mechanical intestinal obstruction was found to be a small intestinal loop strangulated in the left obturator hernia. Right femoral and left obturator hernia were repaired with preperitoneal polypropylene mesh. If there is enough time and general condition of the older patient is suitable, further diagnostic techniques for concomitant obturator hernias may be useful in patients who present with signs of incarcerated inguinal hernia and intestinal obstruction.
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Endoscopic hernia repair methods have become increasingly popular over the past 15 years. The postulated main advantages of the endoscopic technique are less postoperative pain, early recovery and lower recurrence rates. Fixation of the endoscopic mesh seems to be necessary to minimize the risk of recurrence. ⋯ Fibrin sealing is as effective as stapling in providing secure mesh fixation. The fibrin group displayed a statistically significant lower prevalence of chronic pain syndromes. Mesh sealing provides adequate fixation and reduces the risk of chronic inguinal pain as a complication of the intervention.
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Incisional hernia is a common problem after abdominal surgery. The complication and recurrence rates following the different repair techniques are a matter of great concern. Our aim was to study the results of incisional hernia repair in Sweden. ⋯ This survey revealed that there is room for improvement regarding the incisional hernia surgery in Sweden. Suture repair, with its unacceptable results, is common and mesh techniques employed may not be optimal. This study has led to the instigation of a national incisional hernia register.
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The use of prosthetic mesh has become the standard of care in the management of hernias because of its association with a low rate of recurrence. However, despite its use, recurrence rates of 1% have been reported in primary inguinal repair and rates as high as 15% with ventral hernia repair. When dealing with difficult recurrent hernias, the two-layer prosthetic repair technique is a good option. ⋯ There have been no mesh-related complications or recurrent hernias in our early postoperative follow-up period. The use of a new prosthetic device in infected or potentially infected fields, and the two-layered approach shows promising results. This is encouraging and provides an alternative approach for the management of difficult, recurrent hernias.