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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
In Vivo Mouse Model of Spinal Implant Infection
Published on: June 23, 2020
[Prosthetic infection after hernioplasty. Five years experience]
Jose Bueno Lledó1, Yurena Sosa Quesada, Inmaculada Gomez I Gavara
1Unidad de Cirugía General y Urgencias, Sección de Pared abdominal, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain. buenolledo@hotmail.com
Introduction:
Prosthesis infection is an infrequent but important complication in abdominal wall surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and risk factors for the infection of the prosthesis after hernia repair, as well as the treatment to apply.
Material And Method:
Between January 2002 and December 2006, we performed 1055 prosthetic hernia repairs: 761 inguinal hernias (72.1%), 74 umbilical hernias (7%) and 220 ventral hernias (20.9%). We prospectively analysed preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables, as well as the incidence of infection of surgical wound and of prosthesis. We used ASA classification for preoperative anaesthetic evaluation.
Results:
The overall percentage of infection of the prosthesis was 1.3%. Infection was observed in 11 repairs with polypropylene mesh (PPL), in 4 with PTFE mesh, and one case in combined mesh. Risk factors of mesh infection were: obesity (p=0.002), diabetes (p=0.020), the type of repair (p=0.047), emergency surgery (p=0.001), the type and size of mesh (p=0.003; p=0.007) and time of surgery >180 min (p<0.001). Seven of the 11 patients with infection of PPL prosthesis were resolved with conservative treatment, whereas all the cases with PTFE infection or mixed mesh needed removal to solve the problem.
Conclusions:
Several factors are involved in producing a prosthesis infection. Whereas antibiotic treatment and surgical drainage of the infection can be sufficient in most PPL mesh infection, PTFE prostheses need to be removed prematurely in order to halt the infection process.
Insights
Prosthetic mesh infection after hernia repair is uncommon. Risk factors include obesity, diabetes, and emergency surgery, with polypropylene mesh infections often treatable conservatively, unlike PTFE mesh which usually requires removal.
Area of Science:
- Abdominal wall surgery
- Surgical innovation
- Medical device infection
Context:
- Prosthetic mesh is frequently used in abdominal wall surgery for hernia repair.
- Prosthesis infection is a rare but significant complication.
- Understanding risk factors and treatment is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the incidence of prosthesis infection after hernia repair.
- To identify risk factors associated with mesh infection.
- To determine optimal treatment strategies for prosthesis infections.
Summary:
- A study of 1055 prosthetic hernia repairs found an overall prosthesis infection rate of 1.3%.
- Key risk factors identified include obesity, diabetes, emergency surgery, mesh type/size, and prolonged surgery duration.
- Polypropylene (PPL) mesh infections were often resolved with conservative treatment, while PTFE mesh infections necessitated removal.
Impact:
- Identifies modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for mesh infection, aiding preventative strategies.
- Differentiates treatment approaches based on mesh material, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing complications.
- Provides valuable data for surgeons regarding mesh selection and patient management in hernia repair.