[Open tension-free hernioplasty using mesh in the treatment of inguinal hernia in adults]

Open tension-free inguinal mesh repair is a new operative procedure in Denmark. During 1993 the author performed 20 procedures in 19 men with inguinal hernias, of which seven were direct and 13 indirect. Five of the hernias were recurrent and one patient had bilateral hernias. The median operation time was 30 minutes from skin incision to closure. The recovery time was short and the complications were few and insignificant. No infections occurred. One patient operated for an indirect hernia complained of recurrency. Reoperation was performed laparoscopically and a femoral hernia, obviously overlooked at the primary operation, was found. There were no other recurrencies. Thus, tension-free open inguinal hernial repair seems to be a safe and easy procedure with few complications and no early recurrency.