Introduction of herniorraphy with mesh plug and patch

Objects: To evaluate the introduction of the Perfix mesh plug and patch system for inguinal hernia repair. Design: Prospective consecutive follow-up study. Setting: Teaching hospital, Sweden. Subjects: 139 patients with 145 hernias who were operated on for inguinal hernia with the Perfix mesh plug and patch technique during 1997. Main outcome measures: Operating time, sick leave, time to full recovery, morbidity, recurrence rate. Results: The median operating time was 35 minutes (range 15-105) and the mean follow-up was 9 months (range 4-13). Office workers required a mean of 7 days off work (range 0-43) and manual workers 15 days (range 0-90). Retired patients Cook 21 days (0-30) to recover fully, office workers 22 days (7-70), manual workers 30 days (7-90), students 34 days (0-60) and unemployed patients 60 days (21-150). There were 17 minor complications within 30 days and 2 recurrences during the follow up period. Conclusion: Herniorraphy with a mesh plug and patch can easily be introduced with good short-term results.