OBJECTIVE: There is very little literature on hernial complications of the abdominal wall in association to renal transplantation. The present report aims to evaluate their incidence and type, as well as the intervention carried out and its results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of a series of 650 renal transplantations has been carried out between 1978-1996 in our centre. A braided polypropylene mesh (Prolene) was used to repair abdominal wall defects and/or diagnosed hernias in 8 (1.2%) cases: 5 eventrations, 1 inguinal hernia and one combination of both: the last case required extensive debridement of the abdominal wall due to necrotizing fascitis. Mean time to eventration was 47.3 months (range 1-106). RESULTS: In all cases, the mesh was placed in the pre-peritoneal space. Two patients developed complications (one haematoma and one wound infection), though graft removal was not necessary in any case. Follow-up was 33.1 months (range 6-78) with no findings of hernial relapse. One patient started successful chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) 30 days after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The polypropylene mesh is a sound alternative in the treatment of hernial complications associated to renal transplantation, with acceptable morbidity, and efficacy rates that in our series reached 100%.
OBJECTIVE: There is very little literature on hernial complications of the abdominal wall in association to renal transplantation. The present report aims to evaluate their incidence and type, as well as the intervention carried out and its results. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis of a series of 650 renal transplantations has been carried out between 1978-1996 in our centre. A braided polypropylene mesh (Prolene) was used to repair abdominal wall defects and/or diagnosed hernias in 8 (1.2%) cases: 5 eventrations, 1 inguinal hernia and one combination of both: the last case required extensive debridement of the abdominal wall due to necrotizing fascitis. Mean time to eventration was 47.3 months (range 1-106). RESULTS: In all cases, the mesh was placed in the pre-peritoneal space. Two patients developed complications (one haematoma and one wound infection), though graft removal was not necessary in any case. Follow-up was 33.1 months (range 6-78) with no findings of hernial relapse. One patient started successful chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) 30 days after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The polypropylene mesh is a sound alternative in the treatment of hernial complications associated to renal transplantation, with acceptable morbidity, and efficacy rates that in our series reached 100%.