A Different Technique of Primary Indirect Inguinal Hernia Repair by Inserting a Synthetic Mesh into the Pre and Retroperitoneal Spaces to Wrap the Peritoneal Reflection: Preliminary Report

Abstract

In most methods of indirect inguinal hernia repair, the region of the sac stump remains a potential site of recurrence. A different technique that covers the site of the indirect sac stump is presented. Anterior parietal peritoneum is reflected posteriorly in the inguinal canal. In cases with Gilbert type I-II inguinal hernia, after the indirect sac is removed, the pre and retroperitoneal spaces in this region are dissected. A synthetic mesh is placed into these spaces, lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels. The posterior wall of this type hernia is intact. In cases with Gilbert type III inguinal hernia, either posterior wall repair is accomplished by using one of the tissue approximation techniques after placing a mesh in the region of the sac stump, or the entire peritoneal reflection in the inguinal canal is wrapped with a mesh after dissecting the pre and retroperitoneal spaces. This technique was performed in five patients. Of five patients, mesh was inserted on the region of stump in three (Gilbert I and II) and along the entire peritoneal reflection in two (Gilbert III). There were no postoperative complications such as seroma and pain and no recurrence till follow-up. This technique effectively wraps the peritoneal reflection and may prevent recurrences in primary indirect inguinal hernia, but it needs to be performed in a large number of cases for further evaluation.

KEY WORDS: Inguinal hernia; Indirect; Repair; Mesh