[Plug-technique for umbilical hernia repair in the adult].
BACKGROUND
Umbilical hernia represents 6% of all abdominal wall hernias in the adult. Surgical repair should always be carried out due to possible occurrence of complications. Aim of this paper is to evaluate the efficacy of the plug-technique.


METHODS
From October 1995 to April 2000, the authors performed 21 operations for acquired umbilical hernia with a defect smaller than 4 cm. Local anesthesia was used and a light intravenous sedation added in particularly anxious patients. The repair was achieved by insertion of a polypropylene dart plug sutured to the margins of the hernial defect.


RESULTS
All patients were up and about straightaway and were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Postoperative pain was mild and required hospital analgesia in only 19% of cases and domiciliary analgesia in 24%. During a follow-up ranging from 6 to 60 months (mean 30), only one recurrence has been recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
This tension-free technique allows immediate rehabilitation, with few complications and a low recurrence rate.
Brancato
G
G
Unità Operativa di Chirurgia Generale I, Servizio di Chirurgia delle Ernie, Policlinico Universitario, Catania, Italy.
Privitera
A
A
Gandolfo
L
L
Donati
M
M
Caglià
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006554:Hernia, Umbilical / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods