Large neomucosal space 25 years after mesh repair of ventral hernia

A 64-year-old, otherwise healthy, male patient presented with a malodorous abdominal wall fistula of recent onset. He gave a history of mesh repair of ventral hernia 25 years ago. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed a 15 cm x 15 cm thick-walled cavity inside the abdomen adjacent to bowel loops and the prosthetic mesh. Resection of the mass included a 25-cm segment of small bowel. Histopathology revealed a thick-walled large cavity lined with mucosa, surrounding a large wrinkled sheet of permanent mesh.