Cure of inguinal hernias with large preperitoneal prosthesis: Experience of 2,312 cases

It is clear that the recurrence rates after nonprosthetic methods for the repair of inguinal hernias, like McVay, Bassini or Shouldice techniques, are high (6–10%). Since 20 years, we are convinced, in the GREPA-EHS group, about the advantages of the use of a prosthetic mesh in majority of patients for repairs of primary or recurrent inguinal hernias and incisional hernias. We describe our typical technique for the cure of all inguinal hernias. We place a large supple mesh, by open inguinal route, posterior to the transversalis fascia and anterior to the peritoneum. We have made a double modification in the initial technique of Rives - the use of a very large unsplit prosthesis (15 × 17 cm) and the parietalization of the spermatic cord helped by a wide opening of the Fruchaud's orifice by diversion of the epigastric vessels. The positioning of the mesh is about the same as in the TEP technique but with the advantages of reduction in the vital laparoscopic risks and reinforcement of the wall by a short tension-free McVay technique. For this prospective study, we repaired 2,312 consecutive hernias in 1,828 patients, 284 of which were recurrent. We present our results in terms of quality of repairs, recurrence rates (0.4%), morbidity rate (8%), and mortality rate (0.8%). This technique involves the placement by an open incisional route of a large preperitoneal sheet of mesh for initial treatment of all inguinal hernias - including scrotal, giant or femoral - to ensure a definitive solid muscular wall, even for recurrent hernias.