title: Preliminary results for the repair of difficult recurrent inguinal hernias using expanded PTFE patch.
abstract: The repair of recurrent inguinal hernias can be a complex problem. This study examines the results of 52 difficult recurrent inguinal hernias repaired with an expanded PTFE patch. Patients were selected because the hernia had either multiple defects, a single large defect that could only be repaired with excessive tension, or the surrounding tissues were unable to support a sutured repair. The number of previous hernia repairs ranged from 1 to 7 with a mean of 2.5 repairs. Hernias recurred in 5 patients (10%) after a mean follow up of almost 2 years. Three of these recurrences were inguinal, around the patch, and 2 were through the femoral canal. There was no association between postoperative wound complications and hernia recurrence.
authors: Professorial Surgical Unit, Westminster Hospital, London, England.
authors: N W
authors: NW
authors: Law
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Ellis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene