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Preperitoneal mesh-plug herniorraphy during radical retropubic prostatectomy

Darrel E. Drachenberg¹, David G. Bell²

1 Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
2 Department of Urology, Queen Elizabeth II Health Science Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Address correspondence to Dr. Darrel E. Drachenberg, Urologic Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute, Building 10, Rm 2B47, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD20892 USA

Canadian Journal of Urology 2002, 9(4), 1602-1606.

Abstract

Background: The treatment of localized prostate cancer has increased over the past decade in large part due to enhanced screening efforts with prostate specific antigen (PSA) and has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of radical retropubic prostatectomies being performed in recent years. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of men who are candidates for radical surgical treatment for localized prostate cancer will have concomitant inguinal hernia. Given the well described complications of untreated inguinal hernias we propose that simultaneous repair be undertaken along with radical retropubic prostatectomy for preoperatively defined hernias and those incidentally discovered at the time of surgery.
Material and methods: We concomitantly performed a novel inguinal hernia repair using a Marlex mesh plug in 15 patients who presented to our center for radical prostatectomy.
Results: There were no intra or post operative complications related to the repair. At a median follow up time of 18 months there were no developed recurrences or post operative orchalgia.
Conclusion: Preperitoneal mesh-plug herniorrhaphy is a safe and effective technique used to repair inguinal hernias that present concomitantly with prostate cancer in patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy.

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