Abstract
Background and objectives: Mesh infection following hernia repair has previously often resulted in removal of mesh. The aim of this study was to evaluate if negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can be used to treat such complications and preserve the mesh.
 Materials and method: A prospective study was carried in the Department of Surgery, BIRDEM General Hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. Patients with deep wound infection and exposed infected mesh after hernioplasty were included in the study. Patients’ demographics, existing comorbidities and outcome were recorded. All patients were treated with NPWT till the wound was covered with healthy granulation tissue and closed.
 Results: NPWT was used to treat 7 patients with mesh infection following hernia repair. There was 2 male and 5 female cases and age ranged from 38-58 years. With NPWT the mesh in 6 patients (86%) out of 7 could be completely salvaged and wound closed with secondary suturing. However, in 1 patient although the mesh covered with granulation tissue by NPWT and wound was closed; but it had to be partly removed later on due to development of chronic discharging sinus 20 days after stitch removal.
 Conclusion: The study demonstrated that NPWT was a useful technique for the treatment and preservation of infected mesh after hernia repair.
 IMC J Med Sci 2019; 13(1): 008
Highlights
The use of prosthetic mesh in the repair of abdominal wall hernias that occur either due to open or laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard treatment
In 1 patient the mesh covered with granulation tissue by negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and wound was closed; but it had to be partly removed later on due to development of chronic discharging sinus 20 days after stitch removal
The study demonstrated that NPWT was a useful technique for the treatment and preservation of infected mesh after hernia repair
Summary
The use of prosthetic mesh in the repair of abdominal wall hernias that occur either due to open or laparoscopic surgery is the gold standard treatment. The rate of mesh infection following hernia repair in our hospital is not available. The recommended treatment for mesh infection involving non absorbable mesh is early surgical removal of the mesh and wound care [4,5,6,7,8,9,10]. This may leave behind a more complex open wound with an abdominal wall weakness, resulting in a recurrent hernia. The aim of this study was to evaluate if negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) can be used to treat such complications and preserve the mesh
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