Prediction of successful revision surgery for mesh-related complaints after inguinal hernia and pelvic organ prolapse repair

Inguinal hernia recurrence after laparoscopic mesh removal for chronic pain: a single-center experience with 11 years of practice

INTRODUCTION

Up to 12% of patients undergoing minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair may develop chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP), possibly explained by the presence of mesh. Recent studies reported that laparoscopic mesh removal is feasible and safe. However, the risk of a hernia recurrence is unknown. This observational study describes the rate of hernia recurrence and evolution in pain score following laparoscopic mesh removal for CPIP after preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

Prospectively collected questionnaires and operative notes of consecutive patients undergoing a laparoscopic mesh removal for CPIP in our center of expertise between November 2011 and July 2022 were studied. Pain scores were quantified using the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS, 0-10). The presence of a hernia recurrence was based on patient history and clinical findings.

RESULTS

A total of 89 patients underwent laparoscopic mesh removal, and data of 83 patients (93% response rate) were available for analysis. Median decrease in pain score (NRS) after mesh removal was 4 (range + 2 to - 9). After a median 4.3 years follow up period, a hernia recurrence was present in 18 patients (21.7%). Of these, eight were symptomatic requiring correction using a Lichtenstein repair with a favorable outcome whereas a wait-and-see approach was successfully followed in the remaining 10 patients.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic mesh removal for CPIP following preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair resulted in an inguinal hernia recurrence in one of five patients requiring remedial surgery in one in ten patients. This knowledge may inform the preoperative counseling process.

Evaluating Non-ablative Erbium Yttrium Aluminium Garnet (YAG) Laser Treatment for Polypropylene Mesh-Induced Vaginal Erosion: A Case Series

Background Vaginal erosion caused by the polypropylene mesh is a serious side effect, and the development of effective treatment methods is required. This study explored the potential of non-ablative vaginal erbium yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) laser treatment (VEL) as a novel treatment approach. Methods In this study, VEL was performed on nine women who experienced vaginal erosion after undergoing treatment for pelvic organ prolapse (POP) with polypropylene mesh. These patients visited our hospital between April and December 2020. Using the Renovalase (SP Dynamis Fotona d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia), the laser was applied to the entire vagina, with intensive irradiation focused on the erosion areas. Detailed analyses of symptoms before and after treatment, as well as histopathological changes, were conducted one year post-treatment. Results Nine women were referred to our hospital due to vaginal erosion caused by polypropylene mesh. The participants' average age was 73.2 years (range: 69-81 years), with four patients having undergone transvaginal mesh (TVM) surgery and five undergoing laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC). The average time from mesh insertion to treatment initiation was 7.2 years (range: 3-15 years), with eight patients having previously attempted mesh removal. Post-treatment, significant improvements were observed in managing vaginal erosion and related bleeding, corroborated by histopathological analysis confirming cell regeneration and tissue repair. These improvements also resulted in significant improvements in bleeding management and quality of life (QoL). Conclusion VEL suggests the possibility of being an effective treatment method for vaginal erosion caused by a polypropylene mesh. However, further research is needed because of the small sample size and the limitations inherent in the retrospective case series design.