Large scrotal hernia: a complicated case of mesh migration, ascites, and bowel strangulation

• Published in: Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery 2005-03, Vol.9 (1), p.96-99
• Main Authors: Nowak, D D, Chin, A C, Singer, M A, Helton, W S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Ascites - etiology; Ascites - surgery; Follow-Up Studies; Foreign-Body Migration - complications; Foreign-Body Migration - surgery; Herniorrhaphy; Humans; Intestinal Obstruction - etiology; Intestinal Obstruction - surgery; Male; Prosthesis Implantation - adverse effects; Prosthesis Implantation - instrumentation; Recurrence; Reoperation; Scrotum - pathology; Scrotum - surgery; Surgical Mesh - adverse effects
• ISSN: 1265-4906; 1248-9204
• DOI: 10.1007/s10029-004-0260-3

A 30-year-old male with 1 1/2-year history of an asymptomatic, large, reducible right indirect scrotal hernia presented to the emergency department complaining of a 2-week history of increasing abdominal distension and daily emesis. He had recently undergone an emergent exploratory laparotomy in which his asymptomatic hernia was repaired with a mesh plug from an intra-abdominal approach. The mesh plug subsequently migrated into the patient's scrotum resulting in a strangulating bowel obstruction. This paper discusses a serious complication that may result from inappropriate use and placement of a mesh plug and our approach to correct the situation utilizing a bioabsorbable mesh prosthesis.