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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
Prosthetic repair of incisional hernia combined with elective bowel operation
A Machairas1, T Liakakos, P Patapis
13rd Department of Surgery, University of Athens School of Medicine, 'Attikon' University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Background And Aims:
Incisional hernia repair with mesh is considered a clean operation and it is not recommended to be perfomed at the same time with a potentially contaminated operation. The aim of this study is to assess the short-term results of a group of patients who underwent a colon operation and simultaneous incisional hernia repair with an onlay polypropylene mesh technique.
Patients And Methods:
From Novemberto June 2006, 19 patients underwent incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh, with simultaneous colonic operation. In 13 patients reestablishment of bowel continuity after a Hartmann procedure was done, whereas in four patients a loop colostomy was closed. Two patients underwent colectomy for cancer.
Results:
Post-operatively one patient had a seroma and two others had wound infections which required mesh removal. The mean follow-up was 70.15 +/- 48.40 months (range 3 to 142 months). During this period five patients died, four from progression of malignancy and one from myocardial infarction. Three patients (15.78%) developed recurrence, two patients with previous Hartmann's operation for complicated diverticulitis and wound infection and the third patient due to inappropriate mesh fixation with buttonhole hernia development.
Conclusion:
Prosthetic repair of incisional hernias can be safely performed simultaneously with a colonic operation, with an acceptable rate of infectious complications and recurrence. It is unjustifiable to avoid the use of mesh in a potentially contaminated field when an appropriate technique is used.
Insights
Simultaneous incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh during colon surgery is safe. This approach shows acceptable rates of infection and recurrence, making mesh use justifiable in contaminated fields with proper technique.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Hernia Repair
Background:
- Incisional hernia repair with mesh is typically a clean procedure.
- Simultaneous repair with potentially contaminated operations is generally not recommended.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate short-term outcomes of simultaneous incisional hernia repair and colon surgery.
- To assess the safety and efficacy of onlay polypropylene mesh in this combined procedure.
Main Methods:
- 19 patients underwent incisional hernia repair with polypropylene mesh and simultaneous colon surgery.
- Procedures included bowel reestablishment, colostomy closure, and colectomy for cancer.
Main Results:
- One seroma and two wound infections occurred, necessitating mesh removal in two cases.
- Three patients (15.78%) experienced hernia recurrence.
- Mean follow-up was over 70 months.
Conclusions:
- Simultaneous prosthetic incisional hernia repair with colon operations is feasible.
- Acceptable infectious complication and recurrence rates support mesh use with appropriate techniques.
