title: Open inguinal hernia repair by plug and patch: the value of fibrin sealant fixation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prosthetic meshes give excellent results in groin hernia repair. However, although recurrence rates are very low, chronic pain remains frequent and mesh fixation may play a role in the occurrence of this complication. The use of fibrin sealant to secure the mesh may represent a useful alternative for the prevention of chronic pain. The aim of this study is to confirm that the mesh may be secured by spraying fibrin sealant and to assess the reduction in the incidence of chronic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy hernias were operated on in 57 patients and were evaluated on a prospective basis. The procedure involved placement of a plug and patch mesh which was secured with fibrin sealant alone. These patients were compared to a matched retrospective series of 57 patients who underwent the same procedure, except that conventional non-absorbable suture was used to secure the mesh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups were equivalent for inclusion criteria and preoperative data. The complication rate was similar in the two groups. The operative time was shorter in the fibrin sealant group: 7 min for unilateral hernia (p=0.0017) and 16 min for bilateral hernia (p=0.0008). The length of hospital stay was also shorter in the fibrin sealant group (1.8 days vs. 2.5 days: p < 0.0001). There was no recurrence in the fibrin sealant group after a minimum follow-up of 12 months and no recurrence in the suture group after a minimum follow-up of 25 months. Finally, a significant reduction in chronic pain was observed in the fibrin sealant group (3.5% vs. 22.8%: p=0.042).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms the effectiveness of fibrin glue in securing prosthetic meshes and reducing chronic inguinal pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Oncologic Surgery, Hôpital Archet 2, 151 Route de St. Antoine de Ginestière, BP 3079, 06202, Nice Cedex 3, France.
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Benizri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahili
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Avallone
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Balestro
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caï
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Benchimol
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D015718:Fibrin Tissue Adhesive; D014014:Tissue Adhesives