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Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Application of a New Mesh Fixation Method in Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
Published on: December 23, 2022
Comparison of mesh and non-mesh repair in adolescent inguinal hernia surgery using the Korean National Health
Min Seung Kim1, So Ra Yoon2, Ho Jong Jeon3
1Department of Surgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, Korea.
Purpose:
This study was performed to analyze the long-term outcomes of inguinal hernia repair in adolescent patients and assess the effectiveness of using mesh with data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database.
Methods:
Using the NHIS claims data between 2005 and 2023, 15,808 adolescents aged 10-19 years who underwent inguinal hernia surgery were identified. Patients were categorized by mesh use, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed using statistical and Cox regression models.
Results:
Among 15,808 patients, 810 (5.1%) underwent mesh repair, whereas 14,998 (94.9%) did not. Mesh use increased significantly with age and was more frequent in males. There were no significant differences in readmission or reoperation rates after 1 year. However, mesh repair showed higher readmission (4.32% vs. 3.01%, P = 0.03) and reoperation (3.95% vs. 2.69%, P = 0.03) rates after 5 years. Older age was an independent risk factor for both outcomes. Recurrence analysis revealed no significant differences between the 2 techniques.
Conclusion:
NHIS data showed no clear long-term recurrence benefit of mesh repair for adolescent inguinal hernia. Given data limitations and potential selection bias, routine mesh use is not recommended, and individualized decision-making is advised. Further prospective studies are needed, particularly for older adolescents.
