USE OF A PREPERITONEAL PROSTHESIS FOR STRANGULATED GROIN HERNIA

Background Prostheses are widely used in the elective treatment of adu lt groin hernias. Their use fur strangulated hernias remains controver sial because of the potential risk of sepsis, Methods Thirty-five pati ents with a strangulated groin hernia were treated by insertion of a p rosthetic mesh via a midline preperitoneal approach. Nine patients nee ded an intestinal resection for irreversible necrosis without peritoni tis, and an appendicectomy was carried out in three others. Results Th ere were two postoperative wound infections, neither in patients who h ad an intestinal resection. No mesh had to be removed. The recurrence rate was one of 35 after mean follow-up of 4.2 years. Conclusion A str angulated groin hernia can be repaired safely with prosthetic mesh. Wh en an intestinal resection is carried out with sufficient care to mini mize infective complications, the use of mesh is not contraindicated.