Complications - Inguinal hernia repair, Rutkow Plug

Evidence-based risk factors for complications and reoperations in inguinal hernia surgery have been defined:

1. Age >80 years: High mortality risk with existing comorbidities; more seromas, urinary retention, and readmissions. Even at age > 60 years, more urinary retention and more complications.
2. ASA III and higher: More complications and reoperations, increased mortality risk.
3. Female gender: Increased risk of pain.
4. Obesity: Tendency for more complications.
5. COPD: More complications, increased mortality in outpatient surgery.
6. Diabetes mellitus: Independent risk factor for postoperative complications.
7. Anticoagulation/antiplatelet agents: 4-fold increased risk of postoperative bleeding. Even after discontinuation of anticoagulant medication, the risk of rebleeding is significantly increased.
8. Immunosuppression/corticosteroid medication: Increased risk of recurrence.
9. Liver cirrhosis: Significant increase in complication rates.
10. Nicotine abuse: Significant increase in general and surgical complication risks.
11. Bilateral inguinal hernia: Increased perioperative risk, therefore no prophylactic operation on a healthy side.
12. Increased complication rate in recurrent procedures and femoral hernias.
13. Preoperative pain frequently leads to acute and then chronic groin pain postoperatively.

Irritation, constriction, or injury of inguinal nerves with post-operative persistent pain

The inguinal nerves should be preserved as much as possible.

During preparation and suturing at the inguinal ligament, there may be injury or transection of the nerves. Particularly at risk are: the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, ilioinguinal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, genital branch, and the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve.

In case of nerve damage or obstruction of the mesh repair, neurectomy is preferred in case of doubt. Nerve mobilization for preservation represents a highly significant risk factor for chronic pain. Nerves damaged by the operation and removed from their natural embedding should be removed by proximal neurectomy. The nerve stump is infiltrated with a long-acting local anesthetic and embedded in the abdominal muscles to prevent scar adhesion with the mesh.

Injury to the vas deferens

If there is an injury to the vas deferens, the following aspects are crucial for further action: Was the vas deferens completely or only partially transected? How old is the patient? Does the patient have a desire for fertility?

In sexually inactive older patients, the vas deferens may be transected if necessary. In any case, the patient must be informed post-operatively about what happened and the implications for him.

Bowel injury

An intraoperative iatrogenic bowel lesion should be sutured immediately.

Vascular injury

Bleeding during suturing at the inguinal ligament (beware of the femoral vein). Locate the source of bleeding, possibly suture the femoral vein, and consider consulting a vascular surgery colleague.

Bladder injury

In the event of a bladder injury, the injured area must be sutured. Post-operatively, the bladder is decompressed for 7-10 days using a suprapubic fistula catheter (SPFC) or indwelling catheter.