NCT07491250

Mesh Infection After Hernioplasty: Complete vs Partial Removal - Retrospective Study on Outcomes and Pathogen Analysis

A Retrospective Study: Complete vs Partial Mesh Removal for Mesh Infection After Hernioplasty - Clinical Outcomes and Pathogen Analysis

• Status: Not Yet Recruiting
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Fudan University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Background: Mesh infection after tension-free inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is rare and challenging. When conservative treatment fails, surgery is often required. This study compared clinical outcomes of complete versus partial mesh removal in affected patients. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who underwent surgery for mesh infection after IHR in our hospital between January 2016 and December 2025. Baseline data, perioperative indicators, postoperative complications, and microbiological results were compared between the complete and partial removal groups.

Detailed description

We conducted a single-center, retrospective case series analysis. We included patients who developed mesh infection after tension-free IHR and underwent surgical treatment at our center between January 2016 and December 2025. Patients with mesh infection after incisional, parastomal, or umbilical hernia repair were excluded. We also excluded patients who improved with conservative treatment and did not undergo surgery. We collected the following data: demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory and imaging results, characteristics of the primary hernia surgery, infection characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes. All data were entered into a standardized database. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits and telephone interviews. The last follow-up was on October 30, 2025.

Conditions

• Inguinal Hernia Repair
• Mesh Infection

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Complete mesh removal	Total explantation of the entire prosthetic mesh, including all visible portions and fixation sutures, regardless of the extent of infection.
PROCEDURE	Partial mesh removal	Excision of only the infected or non-incorporated portion of the mesh, with preservation of the well-incorporated, uninfected segment left in situ.

Timeline

• Start date: 2026-03-18
• Primary completion: 2026-05-31
• Completion: 2026-07-31
• First posted: 2026-03-24
• Last updated: 2026-03-24