Long-term follow-up of anterior approach preperitoneal hernia repair using the Kugel patch.
BACKGROUND
Despite many advantages of original Kugel hernia repair over other procedures, there exist certain disadvantages of technical difficulty, long learning curve, and high early recurrence. The aim of this study was to explore the outcomes of long-term follow-up using anterior approach preperitoneal hernia repair with the Kugel patch and determine its safety and efficacy.


METHODS
Five hundred eighty-one inguinal hernias were performed in 560 patients, using anterior approach preperitoneal repair. Patients' age and sex, type of hernias, operative time, hospital stay, complications, and recurrence were evaluated.


RESULTS
We included 581 hernias, with 354 on right side, 162 on left side, and 65 bilateral sides. All hernias were primary. There were 443 indirect hernias, 115 direct hernias, and 23 femoral hernias. Mean operative time was 50 minutes; local anesthesia was applied in 530 cases (91.2%). Postoperative complications affected 50 patients (8.9%). The patients were discharged from 4 to 8 days (with average of 6 days). The averaged follow-up time was 70 months (12 to 120 months). There were 3 recurrences in the period (.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of long-term follow-up with this procedure are safe and effective, easy to learn. We believe that this procedure should be adopted as an alternative method for Chinese patients with inguinal hernias.
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: zhouxuelu@tom.com.
Xue-Lu
XL
Zhou
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Shang-Jun
SJ
Zhou
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Ji-Feng
JF
Zhang
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Hao
H
Hu
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Jian-Feng
JF
Zhang
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Wei-Bin
WB
Cai
Department of Surgery, Affiliated Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 22 Songshanhu Avenue, Dongguan, Guandong 523003, People's Republic of China.
Ping
P
Zhan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
Anterior approach; China; Herniorraphy; Kugel patch