Results of prosthetic mesh repair in the emergency management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated ventral hernias: a seven years study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this prospective study was to present a 7-year experience with the use of prosthetic mesh repair in the management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated ventral hernias.


METHODS
Patients with acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated ventral hernias were treated by emergency repair of the hernia using an onlay Prolene mesh. The presence of non-viable intestine necessitating resection-anastomosis of the bowel was not considered a contraindication to the use of mesh.


RESULTS
The present study included 80 patients. Their age ranged from 25 to 86 years with a mean of 56.1 ± 13.2 years. The hernia was para-umbilical in 71 patients (88.75 %), epigastric in 6 patients (7.5 %) and incisional in 3 patients (3.75 %). Eighteen patients (22.5 %) had recurrent hernias. Resection-anastomosis of non-viable small intestine was performed in 18 patients (22.5 %). There were 2 perioperative mortalities (2.5 %). Complications were encountered in 17 patients (21.3 %) and included wound sepsis in 9 patients (11.25 %), seroma formation in 5 patients (6.25 %), chest infection in 4 patients (5 %), deep vein thrombosis in 1 patient (1.25 %) and mesh infection in another patient (1.25 %). Follow-up duration ranged from 12 to 84 months with a mean of 49.9 ± 19.9 months. Only one recurrence was encountered throughout the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of prosthetic mesh repair in the emergency management of the acutely incarcerated and/or strangulated ventral hernias is safe. The presence of non-viable intestine cannot be regarded as a contraindication for prosthetic repair.
Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, 20 Ismail Serry St., Semouha, Alexandria, Egypt. samerbessa@gmail.com
S S
SS
Bessa
A H
AH
Abdel-Razek
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011126:Polypropylenes; D012008:Recurrence; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000382:microbiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology
D011126:Polypropylenes