Preliminary Results on Polypropylene Mesh Use for Abdominal Incisional Hernia Repairs: The Experience at KCMC – Moshi, Tanzania; 2001 – 2005.

Abstract

Background: Incisional hernia is a major surgical problem. Several methods of hernia repair have been described but their outcome has been disappointing. This preliminary retrospective study reports on our experience with polypropylene mesh repair.

Methods: The technique of mesh placement on anterior rectus abdominis fascia also termed subcutaneous or fascial on lay placement was done on 31 patients from January 2001 to October 2005. Patients’ case notes were retrieved and used to assess for patient related risk factors and hernia related risk factors for its development and recurrence. Post operative complications and duration of postoperative hospitalization were recorded.

Results: Obesity (52%) and history previous history of gynaecological procedures (68%) formed the major associated factors of incisional hernias. Seroma (25%), wound infection (10%) and haematoma (3%) were the commonest postoperative complications. One patient with deep wound infection had the mesh removed. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 2 to 27 days with a mean of 6days. The median follow up period was 16 days and ranged from 2 weeks to 46 months. No case of hernia recurrence was reported during the follow-up period.

Conclusion: The number of case studied and follow-up period were inadequate to make a definitive conclusion. There is therefore a need to undertake a prospective study comparing the conventional use of suturing technique for repair of abdominal incisional hernias versus polypropylene method of repair using the fascial on lay technique in the African situation.