Indirect Inguinal Hernia Repair using the Ultrapro PlugTM and the "Double Slit" Technique, Our Initial Experience

Haggerty S, Sobacki J and Park P

Division of General Surgery, NorthShore University HealthSystem, USA

^*Correspondance to: Stephen P Haggerty 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1090

Abstract

There are many proprietary mesh products on the market for open inguinal hernia repair that offer low recurrence rates. However, there is growing concern about scar tissue, shrinkage and chronic pain associated with “heavy mesh”. Therefore, we began using a light weight, macroporous, and partially absorbable mesh plug with a flat pre-peritoneal portion. We place this mesh using a “double slit” technique where the onlay portion of the plug is slit and placed around the spermatic cord and sewn to the inguinal ligament. The patch is also slit and sewn around the spermatic cord to the inguinal ligament lateral to the internal ring. This is a retrospective study to validate this technique.Methods: Retrospective data was collected between June 1, 2007 and December 30, 2012. Follow-up data was collected by office visit and examination by the attending surgeon.Results: A total of 125 patients qualified for the study and 24 consented to participate. Over an average follow-up of 21 months, there were no recurrent hernias. Eighteen (79.3%) patients had no pain, 4 (16.6%) had very mild (1 of 10) groin pain and one (4.1%) had moderate (4 of 10) groin pain. No patients had testicular pain.Conclusion: Indirect inguinal hernia repair using the Ultrapro Plug and the “double slit” technique is an effective method of inguinal hernia repair with low rates of recurrence and significant chronic pain.

Keywords

Inguinal hernia; Mesh plug; Open repair; Lightweight mesh; Recurrence; Chronic pain

Cite the article

Haggerty S, Sobacki J, Park P. Indirect Inguinal Hernia Repair using the Ultrapro PlugTM and the "Double Slit" Technique, Our Initial Experience. Clin Surg. 2016; 1: 1090.