Giant mature cyst formation following mesh repair of hernias: an underreported complication?
BACKGROUND
Numerous complications have been described following the implantation of synthetic meshes during hernia repair; one of the rarest, with only three reported cases, is giant mature fibrous cyst formation. Our clinical experience with this complication has led us to believe that it may be more common than previously thought.


METHODS
Surgical operation notes and pathology archives were reviewed for the period January 1998-January 2002 to determine the prevalence of mature cyst formation following mesh repair of hernias.


RESULTS
Out of 1100 hernia repair operations involving the use of synthetic meshes in our institution during the period of study, five developed histologically confirmed mature fibrous cysts giving a prevalence of 0.45% for this complication.


CONCLUSIONS
The formation of a giant mature cyst following mesh repair of hernias is an underreported complication.
Ogunbiyi
S O
SO
Department of General Surgery, West Wales General Hospital, SA31 2AF, Carmarthen, Wales United Kingdom. samuel.ogunbiyi@kcl.ac.uk
Morris-Stiff
G
G
Sheridan
W G
WG
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003560:Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects*