Abstract
Besides the Lichtenstein technique, the mesh plug repair (MPR) has demonstrated excellent results over the years, with recurrence, chronic pain, and quality of life rates comparable to Lichtenstein’s in most of the reported outcomes. MPR is a deep repair with the device laying in the pre-peritoneal space. The technique was originally proposed in the late 1980s by Gilbert and Trabucco and finally standardized by Rutkow, who introduced the first preformed plug (PerFix™). Since then, many 3D devices have been offered on the market, made with new materials and new profiles, to meet the current requirements of the hernia surgery and overcome criticisms addressed to this technique, such as the excessive use of foreign material and the risk of plug migration. In fact, choosing the proper plug besides paying attention to technical details can reduce migration that seems anyway very rare. Originally proposed for all groin hernias, MPR today should be indicated for the treatment of lateral, recurrent “internal,” and femoral hernias, according to a tailored management of inguinal hernia. MPR offers the fastest learning curve, the shortest operative time, and the lowest perceived difficulty among all the procedures for groin hernia repair. It should remain in the toolbox of all general surgeons.
To Davide Fieschi (1869–1953), the pioneer of open plug repair [1].
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Negro P, Gossetti F, Ceci F, Manto O, D’Amore L. Davide Fieschi: a pioneer of plug repair in groin hernia surgery. Hernia. 2014;18:919–23.
Gilbert AI. An anatomical and functional classification for the diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernia. Am J Surg. 1989;157:331–3.
Trabucco EE. Routine sutureless mesh in primary inguinal hernioplasty. Am Coll Surg. 1989;13:541–4.
Rutkow IM, Robbins AW. 1669 mesh plug hernioplasties. Contemp Surg. 1993;43:141–7.
Rutkow IM, Robbins AW. Mesh plug hernia repair: a follow-up report. Surgery. 1995;117:597–8.
Read R. Milestones in the history of hernia surgery: prosthetic repair. Hernia. 2004;8:8–14.
Gilbert AI, Graham MF, Voigt WL. A bilayer devices for inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 1999;3:161–6.
Campanelli GP, Pettinari D, Nicolosi FM, Cavalli M, Contessini Avesani E. Inguinal hernia recurrence: classification and approach. Hernia. 2006;10:159–61.
Pelissier EP, Blum D, Dams JM, Marre P. The plug method in inguinal hernia: a prospective evaluation. Hernia. 1999;4:201–4.
Millikan KW, Cummings B, Doolas A. A prospective study of the mesh plug hernioplasty. Am Surg. 2001;67:285–9.
Simons MP, Aufenacker T, Bay-Nielsen M, Bouillot JL, Campanelli G, Conze J, de Lange D, Fortelny R, Heikkinen T, Kingsnorth A, Kukleta J, Morales-Conde S, Nordin P, Schumpelick V, Smedberg S, Smietanski M, Weber G, Miserez M. European Hernia Society guidelines on the treatment of inguinal hernia in adult patients. Hernia. 2009;13:343–403.
Miserez M, Peeters E, Aufenacker T, Bouillot JL, Campanelli G, Conze J, Fortelny R, Heikkinen T, Jorgensen LN, Kukleta J, Morales-Conde S, Nordin P, Schumpelick V, Smedberg S, Smietanski M, Weber G, Simons MP. Update with level 1 studies of the European Hernia Society guidelines on the treatment of inguinal hernia in adult patients. Hernia. 2014;18:151–63.
Weyhe D. New worldwide guidelines for treatment of inguinal hernia: the most important recommendations from HerniaSurge. Chirurg. 2017;88(7):628. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00104-017-0386-3.
Kingsnorth AN, Porter CS, Bennett DH, Walker AJ, Hyland ME, Sodergren S. Lichtenstein patch or Perfix plug-and-patch in inguinal hernia: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial of short-term outcome. Surgery. 2000;127:276–83.
Kingsnorth AN, Hyland M, Porter RN, Sodergren S. Perfix plug and patch versus Lichtenstein patch in inguinal hernia: prospective randomized double-blind study of medium-term outcome. Proceedings from “Hernia in the 21st Century” (Toronto, 2000), Meeting book; 2002. p. 246.
Testini M, Miniello S, Piccinni G, Di Venere B, Lissidini G, Greco L, Bonomo GM. Trabucco versus Rutkow versus Lichtenstein techniques in the treatment of groin hernia. A controlled randomized clinical trial. Minerva Chir. 2002;57:371–6.
Bringman S, Ramel S, Heikkinen TJ, Englund T, Westman B, Anderberg B. Tension-free inguinal hernia repair: TEP versus mesh-plug versus Lichtenstein: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. 2003;237:142–7.
Adamonis W, Witkowski P, Smietański M, Bigda J, Sledziński Z. Is there a need for a mesh plug in inguinal hernia repair? Randomized, prospective study of the use of Hertra 1 mesh compared to PerFix plug. Hernia. 2006;10:223–8.
Bolognini S, Orsini V, Grandinetti PP, Pata F, Sacco R. Lichtenstein vs. Rutkow-Robbins technique in the treatment of primary inguinal hernia. Analysis of the long term results. Ann Ital Chir. 2006;77:51–6.
Horharin P, Wilasrusmee C, Cherudchayaporn K, Pinyaku N, Phanpradi O, Phromsopha N. Comparative study of tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy versus Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy versus Bassini operation: a prospective clinical trial. Asian J Surg. 2006;29:74–8.
Frey DM, Wildisen A, Hamel CT, Zuber M, Oertli D, Metzger J. Randomized clinical trial of Lichtenstein's operation versus mesh plug for inguinal hernia repair. Br J Surg. 2007;94:36–41.
Sanders DL, Samarakoon DH, Ganshirt SW, Porter CS, Kingsnorth AN. A two-centre blinded randomised control study comparing the Lichtenstein patch, Perfix plug and ProLoop plug in the repair of primary inguinal hernia. Hernia. 2009;13:499–503.
Droeser RA, Dell-Kuster S, Kurmann A, Rosenthal R, Zuber M, Metzger J, Oertli D, Hamel CT, Frey DM. Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of Lichtenstein’s operation versus mesh plug repair for inguinal hernia. Ann Surg. 2014;259:966–72.
Ripetti V, La Vaccara V, Greco S, Bono F, Valeri S, Coppola R. Randomised trial comparing Lichtenstein vs Trabucco vs Valenti techniques in inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2014;18:205–12.
Nienhuijs SW, van Oort I, Keemers-Gels ME, Strobbe LJ, Rosman C. Randomized trial comparing the Prolene Hernia System, mesh plug repair and Lichtenstein method for open inguinal hernia repair. Br J Surg. 2005;92:33–8.
Mayagoitia JC, Prieto-Díaz Chávez E, Suárez D, Cisneros HA, Tene CE. Predictive factors comparison of complications and recurrences in three tension-free herniorraphy techniques. Hernia. 2006;10:147–51.
Dalenbäck J, Andersson C, Anesten B, Björck S, Eklund S, Magnusson O, Rimbäck G, Stenquist B, Wedel N. Prolene Hernia System, Lichtenstein mesh and plug-and-patch for primary inguinal hernia repair: 3-year outcome of a prospective randomised controlled trial. The BOOP study: bi-layer and connector, on-lay, and on-lay with plug for inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2009;13:121–9.
Nienhuijs SW, Rosman C. Long-term outcome after randomizing prolene hernia system, mesh plug repair and Lichtenstein for inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2015;19:77–81.
Zhao G, Gao P, Ma B, Tian J, Yang K. Open mesh techniques for inguinal hernia repair: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Ann Surg. 2009;250:35–42.
Li J, Ji Z, Li Y. Comparison of mesh-plug and Lichtenstein for inguinal hernia repair: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Hernia. 2012;16:541–8.
Negro P, D'Amore L, Gossetti F. Mesh plug repair and surgeon's satisfaction. Hernia. 2010;14:223–34.
Huang CS, Huang CC, Lien HH. Prolene hernia system compared with mesh plug technique: a prospective study of short- to mid-term outcomes in primary groin hernia repair. Hernia. 2005;9:167–71.
Agrawal A, Avill R. Mesh migration following repair of inguinal hernia: a case report and review of literature. Hernia. 2006;10:79–82.
Jeans S, Williams GL, Stephenson BM. Migration after open mesh plug inguinal hernioplasty: a review of the literature. Am Surg. 2007;73:207–9.
Dieter RA Jr. Mesh plug migration into scrotum: a new complication of hernia repair. Int Surg. 1999;84:57–9.
Nowak DD, Chin AC, Singer MA, Helton WS. Large scrotal hernia: a complicated case of mesh migration, ascites, and bowel strangulation. Hernia. 2005;9:96–9.
Chuback JA, Singh RS, Sills C, Dick LS. Small bowel obstruction resulting from mesh plug migration after open inguinal hernia repair. Surgery. 2000;127:475–6.
Tokunaga Y, Tokuka A, Ohsumi K. Sigmoid colon diverticulosis adherent to mesh plug migration after open inguinal hernia repair. Curr Surg. 2001;58:493–4.
Moorman ML, Price PD. Migrating mesh plug: complication of a well-established hernia repair technique. Am Surg. 2004;70:298–9.
Benedetti M, Albertario S, Niebel T, Bianchi C,Tinozzi FP, Moglia P, Arcidiaco M, Tinozzi S. Intestinal perforation as a long-term complication of plug and mesh inguinal hernioplasty: case report. Hernia. 2005;9:93–5.
Murphy JW, Misra DC, Silverglide B. Sigmoid colonic fistula secondary to Perfix-plug, left inguinal hernia repair. Hernia. 2006;10:436–8.
Ojo P, Abenthroth A, Fiedler P, Yavorek G. Migrating mesh mimicking colonic malignancy. Am Surg. 2006;72:1210–1.
Zubaidi AM, Al Saghier M, Kabbani M, Abdo A. Colocutaneous fistula after mesh plug inguinal hernia repair- a delayed complication. Ann Saudi Med. 2006;26:385–7.
Stout CL, Foret A, Christie DB, Mullis E. Small bowel volvulus caused by migrating mesh plug. Am Surg. 2007;73:796–7.
Liang X, Cai XJ, Yu H, Wang YF. Strangulated bowel obstruction resulting from mesh plug migration after open inguinal hernioplasty: case report. Chin Med J. 2008;121:183–4.
Ortiz JA, Palladino H, Thomas S, Zaki R. Mesh plug and ureteral necrosis after kidney transplantation. Hernia. 2008;12:433–5.
Ishiguro Y, Horie H, Satoh H, Miyakura Y, Yasuda Y, Lefor AT. Colocutaneous fistula after left inguinal hernia repair using the mesh plug technique. Surgery. 2009;145:120–1.
Chen MJ, Tian YF. Intraperitoneal migration of a mesh plug with a small intestinal perforation: report of a case. Surg Today. 2010;40:566–8.
Ratajczak A, Kościński T, Banasiewicz T, Lange-Ratajczak M, Hermann J, Bobkiewicz A, Drews M. Migration of biomaterials used in gastroenterological surgery. Pol Przegl Chir. 2013;85:377–80.
Yilmaz I, Karakaş DO, Sucullu I, Ozdemir Y, Yucel E. A rare cause of mechanical bowel obstruction: mesh migration. Hernia. 2013;17:267–9.
Ishikawa S, Kawano T, Karashima R, Arita T, Yagi Y, Hirota M. A case of mesh plug migration into the bladder 5 years after hernia repair. Surg Case Rep. 2015;1(1):4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40792-014-0004-2.
Sekiguchi K, Mizuguchi Y, Mamada Y, Koizumi M, Uchida E. Intraperitoneal migration of a mesh plug from a hernioplasty forming a colocutaneous fistula with the cecum: report of a case. J Nippon Med Sch. 2015;82:246–9.
Yamamoto S, Kubota T, Abe T. A rare case of mechanical bowel obstruction caused by mesh plug migration. Hernia. 2015;19:983–5.
Scaringi S, Ardu M, Zambonin D, Giudici F, Bechi P. Sigmoidocutaneous fistula 26 years after left inguinal hernia repair with mesh-plug technique. Am Surg. 2016;82:E52–3.
Veroux M, Ardita V, Zerbo D, Caglià P, Palmucci S, Sinagra N, Giaquinta A, Veroux P. First case report of acute renal failure after mesh-plug inguinal hernia repair in a kidney transplant recipient. Medicine (Baltimore). 2016;95(13):e3199. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000003199.
Eid JJ, Rodriguez A, Radecke JM, Murr MM. An unusual cecal mass on routine colonoscopy. J Surg Case Rep. 2014;2014(11):rju119. https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rju119.
Scheuer LS, Schnelldorfer T. Inguinal hernia mesh plug migrated into the abdominal cavity. J Gastrointest Surg. 2015;19:1187–8.
LeBlanc KA. Complications associated with the plug-and-patch method of inguinal herniorraphy. Hernia. 2001;5:135–8.
Negro P, Gossetti F, D'Amore L, Proposito D, Vermeil V, Battillocchi B, Della Rocca G, Carboni M. 1,000 prosthetic hernia repairs: experience of a dedicated team. Chir Ital. 2000;52:279–88.
Pikoulis E, Daskalakis P, Psallidas N, Karavokyros I, Stathoulopolos A, Godevenos D, Leppaniemi A, Tsatsoulis P. Marlex mesh Prefix plug hernioplasty retrospective analysis of 865 operations. World J Surg. 2005;229:231–4.
Millikan KW, Doolas A. A long-term evaluation of the modified mesh-plug hernioplasty in over 2,000 patients. Hernia. 2008;12:257–60.
Negro P, D’Amore L, Gossetti F, Battilocchi B, Vermeil V, Dandolo R. Follow-up of plug in long run hernia surgery. Results from a national inquiry. Hernia. 2001;5(Suppl 1):S31.
Negro P, Gossetti F, Dassatti M, Manzi E, D’Amore L. Plug repair. Hernia. 2012;(Suppl 1):S42.
Hamouda A, Kennedy J, Grant N, Nigam A, Karanjia N. Mesh erosion into the urinary bladder following laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair; is this the tip of the iceberg? Hernia. 2010;14:317–9.
D'Amore L, Gossetti F, Manto O, Negro P. Mesh plug repair: can we reduce the risk of plug erosion into the sigmoid colon? Hernia. 2012;16:495–6.
Mutter D, Champault G, Binot D, Vix M, Leroy J, Marescaux J. PerFix™ plug versus 4DDOME(®) implants for inguinal hernia repair: prospective multicentric randomised controlled trial. Hernia. 2012;16:561–6.
Hirose T, Takayama Y, Komatsu S, Shingu Y, Sakamoto E, Norimizu S, Hasegawa H. Randomized clinical trial comparing lightweight or heavyweight mesh for mesh plug repair of primary inguinal hernia. Hernia. 2014;18:213–9.
Efthimiou M, Symeonidis D, Koukoulis G, Tepetes K, Zacharoulis D, Tzovaras G. Open inguinal hernia repair with the use of a polyglycolic acid-trimethylene carbonate absorbable mesh: a pilot study. Hernia. 2011;215:181–4.
Negro P, Gossetti F, Dassatti MR, Andreuccetti J, D'Amore L. Bioabsorbable Gore BIO-A plug and patch hernia repair in young adults. Hernia. 2012;16:121–2.
Negro P, Campanelli G, Ipponi PL, Gossetti F, Dassatti MR, Manto O, D'Amore L. Selective use of bioabsorbable Gore BIO-A plug and patch for groin hernia repair. Hernia. 2013;17:795–6.
Gossetti F, Massa S, Abbonante F, Calabria M, Ceci F, Viarengo MA, Manzi E, D’Amore L, Negro P. New “all-in-one” device for mesh plug hernioplasty: the Trabucco repair. Ann Ital Chir. 2015;86:570–4.
Kaafarani HM, Itani KM, Giobbie-Hurder A, Gleysteen JJ, McCarthy M Jr, Gibbs J, Neumayer L. Does surgeon frustration and satisfaction with the operation predict outcomes of open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair? J Am Coll Surg. 2005;200:677–83.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Gossetti, F., D’Amore, L., Grimaldi, M.R., Ceci, F., Negro, P. (2018). Mesh Plug Repair. In: Campanelli, G. (eds) The Art of Hernia Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72626-7_27
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72626-7_27
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-72624-3
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-72626-7
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)