INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR BY THE “MESH PLUG” TECHNIQUE
Background:In 1989, Lichtenstein I. L., Shulman A. G., Amid P. K., and Montlor M. M. presented an idea of using Mesh Plug to repair the defect inguinal canal. The new technique quickly became accepted by surgeons all over the world for several reasons: faster overall rehabilitation, less postoperative pain, less complication, shorter stay in the hospital and early return to normal activities and work. Materials and method:From December 2011 to October 2012, 97 patients with inguinal hernia were surgically treated with 110 Mesh Plugs applied at the Surgery Unit of Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Result:The patients’ mean age was 48.96±23.19. There were 60 patients over 40 years old, accounting for 61.9%, and 93 of the group were males, accounting for 95.8%. 24 cases were direct hernia, accounting for 21.8%, 86 cases were indirect hernia accounting for 78.2% and 11cases were direct hernia associated with indirect hernia. Based on Nyhus’s classification, there were 76 cases of IIIA and IIIB (69.1%). Based on the position of protrusion, there were 66 cases of right inguinal hernia (60.0%), 44 cases of left inguinal hernia (40.0%), and 13 cases of hernia on both sides. The average size of the deep ring is 2.19±1.54cm. 65 cases used Mesh Plug of medium size (59.1%). The mean operating time was 37.26 minutes. The time of staying in the hospital was 3.58±1.17 days. Quality of life assessment after the surgery showed 93 very good and good cases 95.8% and 4 cases (4.2%) with satisfactory result. No case of bad outcome was recorded. Conclusion: Surgical treatment of inguinal hernia by the Mesh Plug technique is really effective, safe with faster postoperative rehabilitation, less postoperative pain, less complications, shorter hospital stay and early return to normal activities and work. Key words: Inguinal hernia, Mesh Plug.