[Shouldice hernia report with a PTFE suture]

Between 4/90 and 2/91 we repaired 105 inguinal hernias according to Shouldice's technique. Instead of an absorbable suture (PDS no.0) we used a PTFE suture no.0. By this study we tried to assure that it is allowed to use as well the non resorbable PTFE suture no.0. in hernia repair as the slowly resorbable PDS suture no.0. We compared the rate of postoperative hematomas, seromas and pus collections and the rate of early recurrences in both groups. The results of the PTFE group were compared with those of a prospective study (n = 100) between 6.88 and 4.89 when we used PDS suture no 0. In the PTFE group we saw 9.5% hematomas, 1.9% seromas and 0.9% pus collections. In the PDS group 4% of the patients developed a hematoma, 4% a seroma and 2% a pus collection. We saw 1.9% early recurrences after 8 months (PTFE: 7-11; median: 9 months) and 3.2% after 9 months (PDS: 8-13; median: 10 months) medium follow-up time. The results did not significantly differ between both groups. (Chi-square test: p = 1.0). By these results we can draw the following conclusions: 1. The use of a non absorbable PTFE suture no 0 in hernia repair is of no disadvantage. 2. The principle of hernia repair is the induction of scar tissue in the site of hernioplasty; the use of slowly resorbable suture material is allowed as well.