A retrospective analysis of post-operative mesh infection after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and preventive measures.

Introduction: Post-operative mesh infection is a rare but serious complication of laparoscopic hernia surgery. In this study, we share our experience of post-laparoscopic hernia repair mesh infections, with a review of the literature and possible preventive steps that can be taken to for such a dreaded complication.

Patients and methods: This retrospective observational study was done from January 2014 to 30 June 2024. We reviewed the prospectively maintained data of all the patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Thousand eight hundred and twenty patients underwent laparoscopic hernia repair, and we found case records of six patients who experienced surgical site infections (SSIs) following laparoscopic inguinal mesh hernioplasty.

Results: The rate of SSI or the mesh infection was 0.34% (6 cases). All were male with 4 of them in the age group between 51 and 60 years. One patient (16.66%) had undergone totally extraperitoneal repair, whereas 5 patients (83.33%) had undergone transabdominal preperitoneal repair. All the patients presented with mesh infection within the first 4 weeks of surgery. Three (50%) of patients presenting with post-mesh infection had different comorbidities. Four (66.6%) patients of post-laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair mesh infection underwent mesh explantation and the remaining 2 (33.33%) were treated conservatively.

Conclusion: Intra-abdominal abscess and mesh infection, though rare, are serious complications of laparoscopic hernia repair. Prevention remains the best approach, and the surgical team must ensure adherence to key preventive measures at each stage.