MESH INFECTIONS AFTER LAPAROSCOPIC INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

Several complications like hematoma and seroma have been reported afte r laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LH). Sepsis due to infection of the patch is an uncommon complication. Tn this retrospective trial, w e evaluated three male patients who developed postoperative mesh infec tion after LH by transabdominal preperitoneal patch (TAPP) technique i n two institutions. Diagnosis was confirmed by clinical symptoms, sign s, ultrasonography, and computerized tomography (CT), and definitive t reatment was provided by removing the mesh. In the first case, mesh in fection occurred 10 months after laparoscopic left inguinal hernia rep air with TAPP for recurrence. The infection manifested itself as an ex ternal fistula at the drain site. The mesh was removed laparoscopicall y due to persistent suppuration. Tn the second case, mesh infection oc curred 3 months after transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair on th e left. The patch was removed because of the persistent suppuration de spite repetitive drainage and lavage, Tn the third case, mesh infectio n occurred in 15 days after transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair on the right. External drainage was performed under CT guidance, but suppuration could not be stopped. Thus the mesh was removed. In three cases, infection could not be stopped after diagnosis despite drainage and antibiotic coverage, and then it was decided to remove the mesh, The meshes were removed under general anesthesia for the first two cas es and under local anesthesia for the third one. During the follow-up period. no recurrences were noted. The mesh infections of these three cases, resistant to conservative treatment methods, completely disappe ared after mesh removal.