title: Use of a preperitoneal prosthesis for strangulated groin hernia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prostheses are widely used in the elective treatment of adult groin hernias. Their use for strangulated hernias remains controversial because of the potential risk of sepsis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-five patients with a strangulated groin hernia were treated by insertion of a prosthetic mesh via a midline preperitoneal approach. Nine patients needed an intestinal resection for irreversible necrosis without peritonitis, and an appendicectomy was carried out in three others.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were two postoperative wound infections, neither in patients who had an intestinal resection. No mesh had to be removed. The recurrence rate was one of 35 after mean follow-up of 4.2 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A strangulated groin hernia can be repaired safely with prosthetic mesh. When an intestinal resection is carried out with sufficient care to minimize infective complications, the use of mesh is not contraindicated.
authors.affiliation: University Departments of Abdominal Surgery, Clinique André Renard, Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pans
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Desaive
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jacquet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006550:Hernia, Femoral / Q000601:surgery; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013526:Surgical Mesh
chemical_list: C016674:Plastipore; D011091:Polyesters; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D011095:Polyethylenes; D011126:Polypropylenes; C025539:Lavsan