A university experience using mesh in inguinal hernia repair

In a university program, surgical residents are trained to perform classic inguinal hernia repair. The necessity of this approach is discussed. In this study, polypropylene mesh was added to the repair in order to familiarize the resident with the properties and qualities of mesh. Three hundred seventy-one consecutive herniorrhaphies were performed using a precut mesh in patients weighing between 110 lbs and 285 lbs. All patients were seen postoperatively, and 120 were seen at 1 year. One recurrence and no major complications were noted. Deficient local collagen and properties of mesh prosthetics are discussed as part of the surgical resident curriculum.