Mesh Infection After Hernioplasty: Complete vs Partial Removal - Retrospective Study on Outcomes and Pathogen Analysis
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age18-80
SponsorFudan University
About this trial
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.
Eligibility criteria
This trial accepts healthy volunteersQualifiers
Patients who underwent tension-free inguinal hernioplasty with mesh placement.
Patients diagnosed with mesh infection requiring surgical re-intervention.
Patients who underwent complete or partial mesh removal surgery.
Availability of complete medical records and follow-up data.
Disqualifiers
Patients with mesh infection managed conservatively (without surgical removal).
Patients with missing critical data (e.g., intraoperative findings, pathogen results, or follow-up).
Patients with concomitant procedures that could confound outcomes (e.g., simultaneous other hernia repair).
Patients lost to follow-up immediately after discharge (no postoperative assessment).
Trial population
The study population consists of patients who developed mesh infection after tension-free inguinal hernioplasty and subsequently underwent surgical mesh removal (either complete or partial) at our institution. Data were collected retrospectively from medical records, including demographic characteristics, comorbidities, laboratory and imaging results, primary hernia surgery details, infection characteristics, intraoperative data, and postoperative outcomes. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient visits and telephone interviews, with the last follow-up on October 30, 2025.
Trial design
Design model
Cohort
Time perspective
Retrospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Complete mesh removal
Procedure/SurgeryTotal explantation of the entire prosthetic mesh, including all visible portions and fixation sutures, regardless of the extent of infection.
Partial mesh removal
Procedure/SurgeryExcision of only the infected or non-incorporated portion of the mesh, with preservation of the well-incorporated, uninfected segment left in situ.
Treatment groups
100 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: The complete mesh removal group1 intervention
Group B: The partial mesh removal group1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Hernia Recurrence Rate
Presence of clinically or radiologically confirmed recurrent inguinal hernia at the site of previous hernioplasty following mesh removal surgery.
Time frame
From date of surgery to December 20252
Infection Recurrence Rate
Recurrence of surgical site infection at the same location after initial surgical treatment for mesh infection, confirmed by clinical signs (e.g., erythema, purulent drainage, sinus tract formation) and/or positive microbiological culture.
Time frame
From date of surgery to December 2025Locations
Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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