Open Inguinal Hernia Repair by Mosquito Net Mesh: A Five Years Retrospective Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT:In inguinal hernia tension free hernioplasty using polypropylene mesh by Lichenstein and Schulman's method is accepted all over the world. But cost of the mesh is a major contributor to the cost of repair in rural India. A retrospective study of 105 Inguinal hernia operated patients from 1 st March 2007 to 30 th October 2011 was undertaken to evaluate efficacy and cost benefit of Mosquito Net Mesh (MNM) as against conventional mesh repair. All patients were operated under spinal anaesthesia. The ETO sterilized MNM of size 7.5cm by 13cm was used for repair. The incidence of complications, recurrence and cost benefit was investigated after a mean follow up of 37 months. The rate of seroma formation (n=0), hematoma formation (n=0), superficial infection in the form of erythema (n=3), serous discharge after stitch removal (n=7), chronic pain (n=4) and recurrence (n=2) were low. The cost benefit was 40% -50% of the total cost of the repair by using MNM. ETO sterilized MNM forms a cheap, safe and efficient alternative to the conventional and costly polypropylene mesh in open tension free repair of inguinal hernia in adults.