Large Bowel Obstruction: A Postoperative Complication After Laparoscopic Bilateral Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Each year in the United States alone over 500,000 inguinal herniorrhaphies are performed.¹ Numerous techniques and methods have been described, all in an attempt to decrease recurrences, complications, and morbidity. One of the newer methods involves laparoscopic, transabdominal, preperitoneal placement of a mesh sheet. Several articles have described complications following this procedure—some inherent in all hernia repairs and some unique to either the laparoscopic approach or mesh placement.^2–10 Our case appears to represent the first description of a large bowel obstruction secondary to an intense, inflammatory reaction to the inserted mesh. It suggests that mesh insertion, despite reperitonealizing the mesh, is not without complication.