Mesh Plug Technique for Umbilical and Paraumbilical Hernias Repair; A Novel Technique

Abstract

Background: Umbilical and paraumbilical herniae are the most common ventral herniae occurring at or around the umbilical ring.Umbilical hernia accounts for almost 6-10% of all abdominal wall herniae. A ventral hernia is abnormal protrusion of peritoneal sacthrough the musculo-aponeurotic abdominal wall defect. Females are affected five times more as compared to males. The variousrisk factors include obesity, chronic cough and constipation, ascites and pregnancy in females.Objective: To determine the outcome of mesh plug repair of umbilical and paraumbilical hernias in terms of operative time andpostoperative complications.st Material and Methods: This study was conducted at surgical department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 1 Januaryst 2012 to 31 December 2016. Total of 131 patients with umbilical and Para umbilical hernias were studied. Patients were operatedusing mesh plug technique and operative time and postoperative complications were recorded.Results: There were 91 female patients compared to 40 male patients (M/F ratio 2.2:1). The overall mean age was 41±19.3 years.The mean operative time was 23±9.2minutes. In the early postoperative period 3 patients had superficial surgical site infection.Seroma was observed in 2 patients. Mesh plug infection was observed in 1 patient while chronic pain was observed in 2 patients.None of the patients had recurrence on 24 months follow up.Conclusion: Mesh plug for small umbilical and paraumbilical hernias in adults is a safe, convenient, fast and minimally invasivetechnique with a lower rate of postoperative complications and recurrence.