Safety and stability of inguinal hernia repair in Egyptian patients suffering from portal hypertension-associated ascites using ultrasound-guided nerve block

Abstract

Background Inguinal hernia repair in patients suffering from liver disease-induced ascites may be a matter of controversy due to high vulnerability of these patients to stresses. Ultrasound (US)-guided local anesthesia is an effective and safe method that can be applied in such vulnerable patients, giving the surgeon a chance to assess feasibility and stability of hernia repair in such patients. Patients and methods Tension-free hernioplasty under a US-guided nerve block was performed for 14 patients with inguinal hernia-associated abdominal ascites due to portal hypertension (16 procedures) at the Department of Clinical and Experimental Surgery, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, from September 2013 to December 2015. Results There was neither operative-related mortality nor major complications during the follow-up period of 16.5 (9–24) months, with no reported recurrences for all patients. Conclusion Inguinal hernia mesh repair using an US-guided nerve block is a safe and effective procedure in patients suffering from liver diseases complicated by ascites.