Evaluation of lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty for acutely complicated inguinal hernia as an emergency procedure

Background: To prevent recurrence, mesh repair is the optimum choice for elective hernia repair, however the application of mesh herinoplasty in the acutely complicated inguinal hernia in emergency sitting is still controversial especially when omentum and intestinal resection is required. Patients and methods: This study was multicenter study conducted in the departments of surgery at AL Ahrar and Al –Sahel teaching hospitals during the period from December 2014 to June 2019. Polypropylene mesh herinoplasty was performed to100 male patients included in this study and presented with acute complicated inguinal hernia. Prospectively patients were divided into two groups: Group (I) included 72 patients who didn’t required intestinal resection and Group (II) 28 patients required intestinal resection. Results: The operative time and hospital stay were longer in Group (II) (P <0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding postoperative complications. All cases of surgical site infection (SSI) were superficial and successfully managed with drainage and local wound care. There was no deep wound infection or mesh rejection, no postoperative mortality and there was 1 case of hernia recurrence during 1 year follow up. Conclusion: The current study approved that mesh herinoplasty in acutely complicated inguinal hernia can be accomplished safely with favorable outcome even if associated with omentum and intestinal resection assuming that the wound was maintained in clean –contamination condition during surgery.