title: Effectiveness of mesh hernioplasty in incarcerated inguinal hernias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of mesh is still controversial in patients undergoing emergency incarcerated hernia repair, mostly because of potential infectious complications.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of tension-free methods in treating incarcerated inguinal hernias (IIH), with and without intestine resection. The secondary aim was to establish an algorithm on how to proceed with incarcerated hernias.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgery due to an inguinal hernia at the First Department of General Surgery Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, in the period 1999-2009. Operative methods included Lichtenstein, Robbins-Rutkow and Prolene Hernia System. The rate of postoperative complications was compared in patients who underwent elective and emergency surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group consisted of 567 patients (546 male) age 19-91 years. In this group 624 hernias were treated using the three tension-free techniques - 295 using the Lichtenstein method, 236 using PHS and 93 using the RR technique. Out of the 561 operations 89.9% were elective. No correlation (p > 0.05) was found between the type of surgery and such complications as postoperative pain duration and intensity, fever, micturation disorders, wound healing disorders, testicle hydrocoele, testicle atrophy, spermatic cord cyst, sexual dysfunction, wound dehiscence, wound suppuration, seroma, haematoma and hernia recurrence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mesh repairs can be safely performed while operating due to an IIH. The use of a synthetic implant, in emergency IIH repairs, does not increase the rate of local complications. Synchronous, partial resection of the small intestine, due to intestinal necrosis, is not a contraindication to use mesh.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Georges
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kamtoh
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Radoslaw
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pach
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kibil
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matyja
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Rafal
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Solecki
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Bartlomiej
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banas
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kulig
keywords: incarcerated inguinal hernias; mesh repair; tension-free