Single surgeon experience with bilayer polypropylene mesh repair of inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Open mesh repair of inguinal hernia has been shown to be an effective and safe method of hernia repair. In search of the 'ideal' method of open mesh hernia repair, many different methods of mesh placement have been developed. Laparoscopic hernia repair is reported to be superior to open repair in terms of postoperative pain and rehabilitation. These improved functional outcomes could be the result of placement of mesh in the preperitoneal space (underlay), rather than the laparoscopic method per se. A bilayer polypropylene mesh implant has been developed that provides onlay and underlay (preperitoneal) mesh layers. The present study reports the singular experience of a general surgeon with this bilayer polypropylene mesh implant.

METHODS: A retrospective audit of the first 169 consecutive inguinal hernia repairs was conducted by mailed questionnaire and telephone interview. Data was collected on patient demographics, postoperative pain scores and complications. Patients with potential recurrences at the time of follow up were invited for clinical review.

RESULTS: One hundred and three patients (71%) participated in the audit. Thirteen per cent of cases were for recurrent hernia. Median age was 60 years (range 21-99). Median length of follow up was 19 months (range 8-27). No recurrences were detected in the patients who underwent primary repair of inguinal hernia.

CONCLUSION: Inguinal hernia repair with bilayer polypropylene mesh is safe and has low complication and recurrence rates.