Tension-Free "Plug and Patch" Inguinal Hernia Repair
Y. Mintz, D. Goitein, M. Muggia-Sullam
Dept. of General Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Hospital, Jerusalem
Inguinal hernias are common and have highly variable clinical presentations, ranging from the asymptomatic to surgical emergencies when incarcerated, sometimes necessitating bowel resection. Several techniques have been described for repair of inguinal hernias based on the unique anatomic structure of the inguinal region. In 1989 Lichtenstein and co-workers described a "tension free" repair based on using a synthetic mesh patch to reinforce the inguinal canal floor and as a plug to prevent recurrence through the internal inguinal ring. This technique has been used in many centers worldwide with good rates of success.