Prosthetic repair of incarcerated inguinal hernias: is it a reliable method?
OBJECTIVE
It is generally accepted that most inguinal hernias should be operated on electively using synthetic grafts. However, limited information is available on the usage of these materials in patient with incarcerated and strangulated hernias. The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of incarcerated inguinal hernia repair with or without graft.


METHODS
One hundred-thirteen patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia that underwent surgery were included in this study. Patients who underwent Lichtenstein repair were assigned to group I; those who underwent primary repair were assigned to group II. Demographics and characteristics of patients in each group were compared. Chi-square and Student's t-tests were used.


RESULTS
No statistical difference was found between patients who did and did not receive anastomosis in both groups in terms of surgery duration, length of hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, and mortality. Recurrence was found in 4.0% and 20.8% patients in group I and group II, respectively (P = 0.036).


CONCLUSIONS
Mesh repair can be preferred in incarcerated inguinal hernia patients because recurrence rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent Lichtenstein repair in this study.
Derici
Hayrullah
H
3rd General Surgery Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, 156 sok. No: 5/13 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey. hayrullahderici@yahoo.com
Unalp
Haluk R
HR
Nazli
Okay
O
Kamer
Erdinc
E
Coskun
Murat
M
Tansug
Tugrul
T
Bozdag
Ali D
AD
D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome