Modified Rives technic in the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia

Abstract

After the introduction of prosthetic material in hernia surgery the fundamental changes in operative strategy occurred. This is because the coverage of myopectineal orifitium with non-absorbable prosthesis decreases the incidence of recurrences. Because of the appearance of lateral re-recurrences after the classical Rives procedure, we modified the operative technique. The modified Rives technique consists of the following: always polypropilen mesh 15x10 cm; creation of the new internal inguinal ring between Poupart's ligament and mesh; no lateral notching the mesh and anchoring mesh 2-3 cm from the medial, inferior, lateral and superior edge. During the period January 2001-December 2003, 34 cases of recurrent hernias were operated on 7th dept. of I Surgical Clinic of CCS. The recurrences were managed by classical (10/34) or modified Rives technique through direct inguinal approach (22/34), less frequently Lichtenstein procedure (1/34) and McVay (1/34) technique. Among 10 patients with recurrent inguinal hernias managed by classical Rives technique 2 re-recurrences appeared (indirect and interstitial) and 2 cases of infection (immediately after the operation or 7 months after the operation), and in the group of 22 cases with recurrent inguinal hernias managed by modified Rives technique the aim complications didn't appear. Using the modified Rives technique we managed the primary hernias in 56 cases without recurrences and infections. The modified Rives technique, because of the way of mesh fixation (all around), no lateral notching of mesh and remaining hem in all directions secures abdominal wall protection 2-3 cm from the line of fixation and prevents any movement of the mesh. This procedure enables management of all inguinal hernias regardless to their size and full protection of the medial, femoral and lateral inguinal triangle. The modified Rives technique is the technique of choice for big multiple defects (giant inguino-scrotal and re-recurrences), especially among patients with increased intra-abdominal pressure when other techniques may be insufficient because of mesh protrusion.