The repair of inguinal hernias using carbon fibre patches--a five-year follow-up

One hundred and eight inguinal hernias were treated following a standard surgical technique, using 3-mm thick loosely woven carbon-fibre patches. The average follow-up was five and a half years. There was one recurrence. Otherwise, excellent clinical results without pain were found in all but one patient and only a further three experienced a slight discomfort in the area of the implant, without any restriction on function. The technique is simple and permeation of the carbon-fibre patch by fibrous tissue showed a lasting repair.