Management of Infected Mesh Following Ventral Hernia Repair

Abstract

Background: abdominal hernia represents a major health care burden. With over 350,000 repairs performed annually in the United States, millions of dollars are consumed with results that are often far from ideal. The use of the prosthesis in the abdominal wall hernia repair (AWHR) has introduced new problems. Although mesh has reduced hernia recurrence rates, it has its own set of complications. So, mesh infection is one of the most devastating complications after the implantation of any mesh. Objective: this work aimed to focus on management of infected mesh after ventral hernia repair. Patients and Methods: this study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University Hospitals from September 2016 until March 2018. The study included 40 patients with surgical mesh infections after the repair of the ventral hernia. Results: cases with laparoscopic hernia repair, minor infections and a patient unfit for surgery were excluded for any medical reason. And after taking the history of the disease and clinical examination and the necessary investigations and the most important is to take a sample of infected fluid over the mesh to determine the type of infection caused by this or doing fistulogram if the fistula connected to the intestine small or large. Conclusion: research of best practices in surgical technique, preoperative care, and mesh materials is ongoing, and much remains to be learned on the prevention and management of this complex and potentially devastating complication.