title: [Tension-free hernioplasty with a plug and a patch. A prospective long-term study of 483 cases of inguinal or femoral hernia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to assess the introduction of mesh plug and patch for hernia repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study was carried out on 483 consecutive cases of inguinal or femoral hernia treated at a county hospital in the period November 1993 to April 1997. The final follow-up was done by questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operation was performed as a day-in procedure in 59% of the patients, and 35% stayed in the ward overnight. Normal daily activities were resumed within three (2-7) days (median [interquartile range]), and the sick leave was 7 (4-14) days. There were few postoperative complications, and reoperation was done in two cases. The overall recurrence rate was 5%, and for primary hernias 4%. There were no recurrences after operation for femoral hernia. Chronic pain was reported in 17% of the patients, 12% felt pain only during strenuous exercise. The observation at time was 46 (36-56) months (median [interquartile range]).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients operated on with the mesh plug and patch technique had a short hospital stay and a short convalescence. The recurrence rate was acceptable.
authors.affiliation: Silkeborg Centralsygehus, parenkymkirurgisk afdeling.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bech-Knudsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006550:Hernia, Femoral / Q000601:surgery*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
vernacular_title: Tensionsfri hernioplastik med "plug" og plade. Prospektiv langtidsopgørelse af 483 ingvinal- og femoralhernier.