Perineal hernia repair: Multicentre comparative analysis of mesh-only versus mesh combined with tissue flap

Surgical techniques for perineal hernia repair after abdominoperineal resection have evolved over time. Synthetic mesh repair is currently the preferred technique, but recurrence rates are high. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of mesh-only repair with combined mesh and tissue flap repair.

Between 2006 and 2022, patients who underwent perineal hernia repair with synthetic mesh or any mesh combined with tissue flap were retrospectively identified from three referral centres. The primary endpoint was recurrent perineal hernia.

Seventy-two patients with primary perineal hernia were included, of whom 58 underwent mesh-only repair and 14 mesh with flap repair. Postoperative perineal wound complications occurred in 21% in both groups. Meshes were explanted solely within the mesh-only group (n = 3). There were no technical flap failures. Recurrence of perineal hernia occurred in 34% (n = 20/58) of mesh-only patients and in 14% (n = 2/14) of mesh with flap patients (p = 0.12), during a median follow up of 53 months [interquartile range (IQR) 20-81 months] and 24 months (IQR 14-58 months), respectively. Time to recurrent hernia was a median of 16 months (IQR 3-31 months). Crossover to mesh with flap after failed mesh-only repair was successful in 4/4 patients.

Mesh combined with tissue flap repair of a perineal hernia seems more effective than synthetic mesh-only repair, based on an absolute 20% difference in recurrence rate. There was a lack of statistical power due to this being a low-volume type of surgery, even in this largest published series so far.