Inguinal Hernia Repair, Mesh Infection
Conditions
Keywords
Inguinal hernia repair, mesh infection, complete mesh removal, partial mesh removal
Brief summary
Background: Mesh infection after tension-free inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is rare and challenging. When conservative treatment fails, surgery is often required. This study compared clinical outcomes of complete versus partial mesh removal in affected patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent surgery for mesh infection after IHR in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2025. Baseline data, perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, and microbiological results were compared between the complete and partial removal groups.
Detailed description
We conducted a single-center, retrospective case series analysis. We included patients who developed mesh infection after tension-free IHR and underwent surgical treatment at our center between January 2016 and December 2025. Patients with mesh infection after incisional, parastomal, or umbilical hernia repair were excluded. We also excluded patients who improved with conservative treatment and did not undergo surgery. We collected the following data: demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory and imaging results, characteristics of the primary hernia surgery, infection characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes. All data were entered into a standardized database. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits and telephone interviews. The last follow-up was on October 30, 2025.
Interventions
PROCEDUREComplete mesh removal
Total explantation of the entire prosthetic mesh, including all visible portions and fixation sutures, regardless of the extent of infection.
PROCEDUREPartial mesh removal
Excision of only the infected or non-incorporated portion of the mesh, with preservation of the well-incorporated, uninfected segment left in situ.
Sponsors
Fudan University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
1. Patients who underwent tension-free inguinal hernioplasty with mesh placement. 2. Patients diagnosed with mesh infection requiring surgical re-intervention. 3. Patients who underwent complete or partial mesh removal surgery. 4. Availability of complete medical records and follow-up data.
Exclusion criteria
1. Patients with mesh infection managed conservatively (without surgical removal). 2. Patients with missing critical data (e.g., intraoperative findings, pathogen results, or follow-up). 3. Patients with concomitant procedures that could confound outcomes (e.g., simultaneous other hernia repair). 4. Patients lost to follow-up immediately after discharge (no postoperative assessment).
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hernia Recurrence Rate | From date of surgery to December 2025 | Presence of clinically or radiologically confirmed recurrent inguinal hernia at the site of previous hernioplasty following mesh removal surgery. |
| Infection Recurrence Rate | From date of surgery to December 2025 | Recurrence of surgical site infection at the same location after initial surgical treatment for mesh infection, confirmed by clinical signs (e.g., erythema, purulent drainage, sinus tract formation) and/or positive microbiological culture. |
Contacts
CONTACTXiaoyu Peng, MD
Outcome results
None listed