HERNIOPLASTY

SUBLAY TECHNIQUE FOR INCISIONAL HERN IA

Abstract

Incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery and an important source of morbidity. It may be repaired
using open suture, open mesh or laparoscopic mesh techniques. O b j e c t i v e s : To examine the results of open mesh repair using "sublay
technique" of hernioplasty. Setting: Surgical Unit-I, Department of Surgery at Allied Hospital, a tertiary care teaching hospital affiliated with
Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. Patient & M e t h o d s : Sixty patients (male:16, female:44) were operated for incisional hernia. Open
mesh repair was done. Polypropylene mesh was placed over closed posterior rectus sheath layer and over the rectus abdominis, were
available. Anterior rectus sheath was closed in front of the implanted mesh. All the patients received injectable third generation cephalosporin
for 48hrs postoperatively. Postoperative recovery in terms of seroma formation, wound infection, intraabdominal adhesions leading to
intestinal obstruction, enterocutaneous fistula formation and recurrence were the main factors noted and analyzed statistically. Results:
Mean postoperative hospital stay was 03 days. Only one patient developed wound infection. None of the patients developed seroma
formation, intestinal obstruction or enterocutaneous fistula. Maximum follow up till this study is 14 months. No recurrence has been reported
so far. C o n c l u s i o n s : Open mesh repair using "sublay technique" does not carry risk of enterocutaneous fistula, carries low risk of seroma
formation and wound infection. Proper technique is not associated with recurrence.