title: Bioabsorbable hernia plugs in laparoscopic inguinal herniorraphy: short-term and long-term results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our short-term and long-term experience with laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) using a bioabsorbable plug.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who underwent LIHR from 2009 to 2011 using a bioabsorbable plug and synthetic mesh patch were reviewed retrospectively. Short-term follow-up information was obtained within 30 days of surgery, whereas long-term follow-up was obtained in 2014. Quality of life was assessed using the Carolinas Comfort Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-four patients (43 male), including 6 (13.6%) with recurrent disease, underwent 52 LIHR with a bioabsorbable plug. Mean age and body mass index were 60.9 ± 10.5 years and 27.9 ± 4.7 kg/m, respectively. Among 39 (88.6%) patients available for short-term follow-up, early postoperative complications were seen in 10 (25.6%) patients, all of which resolved spontaneously. Mean long-term follow-up duration was 41.6 ± 4.1 months, among 30 (68.2%) patients (40 hernia repairs). There were 2 (5%) hernia recurrences, with 1 requiring a reoperation 12 months after initial repair. Only 2 (6.7%) patients reported moderate or bothersome chronic pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bioabsorbable plug combined with a synthetic mesh is safe and effective for use during LIHR. The technique offers an acceptable incidence of chronic pain and recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH.
authors.forename: Sylvester N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Osayi
authors.forename: Brendan M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Marr
authors.forename: Umer I
authors.initials: UI
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Linn
authors.forename: Vimal K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Narula
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hazey
authors.forename: Dean J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Mikami
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome