[Clinical research of laparoscopic bundled fastigiated mesh in repairing inguinal hernia].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the method and effectiveness of laparoscopic bundled fastigiated mesh in repairing inguinal hernia.

METHODS

Between January 2003 and December 2009, 1 215 patients (1 363 sides) with inguinal hernia were treated. There were 1 132 males (1 268 sides) and 83 females (95 sides), aged from 18 to 89 years (median, 58 years). The cases included 1 187 cases (1 329 sides) of primary hernia and 28 cases (34 sides) of recurrent hernia. There were indirect inguinal hernia in 728 cases (786 sides), direct inguinal hernia in 416 cases (499 sides), femoral hernia in 43 cases (45 sides), and unusual hernia in 28 cases (33 sides). According to the hernia classification criteria, there were 31 cases (38 sides) in type I, 683 cases (754 sides) of type II, 403 cases (452 sides) of type III, and 98 cases (119 sides) of type IV. The disease duration was 1 to 9 days with an average of 3.8 days. To repair the hernia, the bundled fastigiated mesh was patched through the internal inguinal ring and fixed on the internal inguinal fascia by three-point fixation. The mesh would be wrapped in the peritoneum by purse-string suture.

RESULTS

The surgeries were performed successfully. The operative time ranged from 18-32 minutes (mean, 22 minutes). Postoperative tractional pain in the inguinal region occurred in 19 cases (21 sides), acute uroschesis in 8 cases, and far-end hernial sac effusion in 2 cases (2 sides); all were cured after symptomatic treatment. All incisions healed by first intention, and no complications of fever, infection, or hematoma occurred. A total of 1 095 cases (1 182 sides) were followed up 1 to 7 years (median, 3 years and 9 months). Five patients died of medical illnesses at 1-3 years after operation. Three cases recurred and then were cured by a second surgery. No intestinal adhesion or obstruction occurred.

CONCLUSION

The bundled fastigiated mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has the advantages of minimal invasiveness, easy-to-operate, less complications, and lower recurrence rate.