[Preliminary experience in prosthetic hernia surgery]

We reviewed 410 cases, 365 males and 45 females, mean age 64 years, of inguinal and femoral hernia, from 1/1/1991 to 31/12/1994, repaired with Lichtenstein and Trabucco techniques. Recurrent hernias repaired were 36 (8,8%). Local anesthesia was used in 82% and follow-up has ranged from 6 months to 4 years. The meshes used are made with a single layer of polipropylene and the Trabucco plugs T1 were made by hand at the operating table. In our experience these two techniques are simple, but is very important, before application of the mesh, a correct dissection of inguinal region. We made a complete excision of cremasteric fibers preservig, if possible, the genital branch of the genitofemoral nerve. The transversalis fascia is introflected and sutured in direct hernia repair or when there are a loss of tissues. The preliminary results obtained with the "tension free" hernioplasty are satisfying. The most important complications were 9 hematomas and an important and persistent inguinal neuralgia in 1 case. There were no recurrences, but we must considered the short follow-up period.