A university experience using mesh in inguinal hernia repair

Area of Science:

• Surgical Education
• Hernia Repair Techniques
• Biomaterials in Surgery

Background:

• Traditional inguinal hernia repair is a core surgical resident skill.
• Incorporating mesh prosthetics into resident training is crucial for modern surgical practice.
• Understanding mesh properties is essential for successful hernia repair outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the integration of polypropylene mesh in surgical resident training for inguinal hernia repair.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of mesh-augmented inguinal hernia repair performed by residents.
• To familiarize surgical residents with the handling and characteristics of mesh prosthetics.

Main Methods:

• A consecutive series of 371 inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed by surgical residents using precut polypropylene mesh.
• Patients' weight ranged from 110 lbs to 285 lbs.
• Postoperative follow-up included immediate postoperative assessment and a 1-year follow-up for a subset of 120 patients.

Main Results:

• A single recurrence was observed among the 371 procedures.
• No major complications were reported during the study period.
• The study demonstrated a low complication and recurrence rate in mesh-augmented repairs by residents.

Conclusions:

• Adding polypropylene mesh to inguinal hernia repair during resident training is feasible and safe.
• This training method effectively familiarizes residents with mesh prosthetics, contributing to successful surgical outcomes.
• The study supports the inclusion of mesh properties and their application in surgical resident curricula for hernia repair.