Sutureless repair of inguinal hernia

Abstract

Sutureless repair is successful for all but the largest of indirect inguinal hernias. After reduction of the peritoneal sac, the presenting indirect component of the hernia is immediately resolved by placement of a polypropylene mesh through the internal ring. The posterior wall is reinforced with a second swatch of Prolene mesh to prevent herniation, which often results from future degenerative changes. Both swatches of mesh are held in place in separate tissue planes by the body's internal hydrostatic forces. Being sutureless, no tension is placed on any layer; there is no damage to tissues from an errant suturing technique. This procedure has been used in 412 of the 1,091 inguinal hernia repairs over the past 36 months.