Autologous reconstruction of the inguinal ligament using pedicled fascia lata flap: A new technique.

INTRODUCTION

A technique of reconstructing the inguinal ligament using a pedicled fascia lata flap is described.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 62-year-old man was referred with massive bilateral abdominal wall hernias, following numerous attempts at repair and subsequent recurrences. There was complete absence of the right inguinal ligament. The inguinal ligament was reconstructed using a strip of fascia lata, pedicled on the anterior superior iliac spine. This was transposed to cover the external iliac vessels, and sutured to the pubic tubercle. The musculoaponeurotic abdominal wall was reconstructed with two 20cm×20cm sheets of porcine acellular dermal matrix and an overlying sheet of polypropylene mesh, sutured to the remaining abdominal wall muscles laterally, and to both inguinal ligaments. The cutaneous abdominal wall was closed with an abdominoplasty technique. The reconstruction has remained intact nine months following surgery.

DISCUSSION

Complete destruction of the inguinal ligament is rare but can occur following multiple operative procedures or trauma. To date, the only published reports of inguinal ligament reconstruction have been performed using synthetic mesh. The use of autologous tissue should reduce the risk of erosion into the neurovascular bundle, seroma formation, and enhance integration into surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSION

This new technique for autologous reconstruction of the inguinal ligament provides a safe alternative to the use of synthetic mesh in the operative armamentarium of plastic and hernia surgeons.