Plug repair of groin hernias: a 10-year experience.

From April 1990 to July 2000 we performed 4,024 hernia operations and implanted 3,332 plugs in groin hernias. This technique was performed on a continuous, progressive basis. Between 1990 and 1994, the percentage of plugs was 67%, with the proportion rising to 92% since 1995. Although we initially used them only for indirect inguinal hernias (1990-1994), in 1995 we began inserting plugs in direct defects [Marlex Perfix Plug, (Bard Company, 78196 Trappes, France) January 1995-July 1997]. On the basis of our own cases of recurrence, we reoperated and modified plugs using a new prosthesis (Obtura Mesh, Cousin Company, Wervicq Sud 559558, France). Maximum follow-up was 10 years, with 84% of the patients followed for more than 1 year. Postoperative mortality was zero, local infection occurred in 20 patients (0.6%) and testicular atrophy was observed with 27 patients (0.8%). The recurrence rate was 1.4%.