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Updated: Jul 22, 2026
Laparoscopic Repair of Para-Esophageal Hernia Using Absorbable Biosynthetic Mesh
Published on: September 11, 2021
A retrospective analysis of post-operative mesh infection after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and preventive
Pankaj Kataria1, Shardool Vikram Gupta, Lalit Kumar Bansal
1Department of Surgery, ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital, New Delhi, India.
Introduction:
Post-operative mesh infection is a rare but serious complication of laparoscopic hernia surgery. In this study, we share our experience of post-laparoscopic hernia repair mesh infections, with a review of the literature and possible preventive steps that can be taken to for such a dreaded complication.
Patients And Methods:
This retrospective observational study was done from January 2014 to 30 June 2024. We reviewed the prospectively maintained data of all the patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Thousand eight hundred and twenty patients underwent laparoscopic hernia repair, and we found case records of six patients who experienced surgical site infections (SSIs) following laparoscopic inguinal mesh hernioplasty.
Results:
The rate of SSI or the mesh infection was 0.34% (6 cases). All were male with 4 of them in the age group between 51 and 60 years. One patient (16.66%) had undergone totally extraperitoneal repair, whereas 5 patients (83.33%) had undergone transabdominal preperitoneal repair. All the patients presented with mesh infection within the first 4 weeks of surgery. Three (50%) of patients presenting with post-mesh infection had different comorbidities. Four (66.6%) patients of post-laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair mesh infection underwent mesh explantation and the remaining 2 (33.33%) were treated conservatively.
Conclusion:
Intra-abdominal abscess and mesh infection, though rare, are serious complications of laparoscopic hernia repair. Prevention remains the best approach, and the surgical team must ensure adherence to key preventive measures at each stage.
Insights
Post-operative mesh infections after laparoscopic hernia repair are rare (0.34%) but serious. Adhering to strict preventive measures is crucial for surgical teams to minimize this complication.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Post-operative mesh infection is a rare but serious complication following laparoscopic hernia repair.
- This study reviews experiences and literature on mesh infections after laparoscopic hernia surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report on the incidence and characteristics of mesh infections after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
- To discuss potential preventive strategies for this complication.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study of patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair from January 2014 to June 2024.
- Analysis of data from 1820 patients, identifying 6 cases of surgical site infections (SSIs) or mesh infections.
Main Results:
- The incidence of mesh infection was 0.34% (6 cases), all in male patients, with 4 in the 51-60 age group.
- Most infections occurred within 4 weeks post-surgery; 50% of patients had comorbidities. Mesh explantation was performed in 66.6% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Mesh infection and intra-abdominal abscess are rare but significant complications of laparoscopic hernia repair.
- Strict adherence to preventive measures throughout the surgical process is essential for minimizing these risks.
