• B Morin, C Bonnamy, J Maurel, G Samama, and M Gignoux.
• Service de chirurgie générale et digestive, CHU Côte-de-Nacre, 14033 Caen, France.
• Ann Chir. 2001 Nov 1;126(9):876-80.

Study AimThe aim of this retrospective study was to describe an unusual complication of the nonabsorbable meshes used for repair of incisional hernia or inguinal hernia.Patients And MethodsThis study included eight observations of intestinal fistulas that occurred between 1 and 13 years after using Mersilène (Dacron) mesh for repair of an incisional hernia (7 cases) and an inguinal hernia (1 case). There were 6 men and 2 women (mean age: 58 years, range: 35-85 years) with an external intestinal fistula (n = 6) or an internal intestinal fistula (n = 2). All the patients required a reoperation for extraction of the mesh and treatment of the bowel injuries.ResultsThere was one secondary death in a 85 years old woman in relation with a vascular complication after incomplete excision of the prosthesis. In five patients out of six, there was a recurrence of the incisional hernia.ConclusionThe intestinal fistulas associated with prosthetic repair of the abdominal wall are mostly observed with intraperitoneal mesh but this factor is not exclusive. Their frequency after repair of incisional or inguinal hernia with non absorbable mesh is estimated between 0.3 and 3.5%. The use of nonabsorbable mesh should be limited to the indications of strict necessity, without any septic context or emergency surgery. The contact of the mesh with the bowel should be formally avoided.

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