Rare Occurrence of Enterocutaneous Fistulae Following Onlay Mesh Repair for Incisional Hernia: A Case Series

Download Article


Authors : Shah BC, Degloorkar S

Abstract:

Enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) is a rare and late complication following mesh repair for incisional hernias. This report is a case series of two patients reporting ECF following 10 and 13 years after open surgery for the incisional hernia. Laparotomy was performed in both and the defect was repaired by anatomical closure without a mesh. This case report emphasizes that although polypropylene mesh has been shown to be relatively safe in many studies, it can at times be associated with long-term ECF. 

References:

[1.] Acar T, Gömceli I, Taçyildiz R, Sözen S, Karakayali S, Aydin R. Enterocutaneous fistula due to polypropylene mesh migration. Ir J Med Sci. 2002;171:172-74.

[2.] Basoglu M, Yildirgan MI, Yilmaz I, Balik A, Celebi F, Atamanalp SS, et al. Late complications of incisional hernias following prosthetic mesh repair. Acta chir belg 2004;104:425-28.

[3.] Chew DK, Choi LH, Rogers AM: Enterocutaneous fistula 14 years after prosthetic mesh repair of a ventral incisional hernia:a life-long risk? Surgery 2000;127:352-3.

[4.] Cobb Ws, Kercher KW, Heniford BT. The argument for light weight polypropylene mesh in hernia repair. Surg Innov. 2005;12:63–9.

[5.] Kaufman Z, Engelberg M. Fecal fistula: a late complication of Marlex mesh repair. Dis Colon Rectum. 1981;24:543-44.

[6.] Kaya B, Uctum Y, Eris C, Bat O, Ziyade S, Kutanis R. The surgical results for onlay mesh repair for incisional hernia. J Clin Anal Med 2012;3:425-8.

[7.] Leber GE, Garb JL, Alexander AI, Reed WP. Long-term complications associated with prosthetic repair of incisional hernias. Arch Surg 1998;133:378-82.

[8.] Miller k, Junger W: Ileocutaneous fistula formation following laparoscopic polypropylene mesh hernia repair. Surgical endoscopy 1997;11:772-73.

[9.] Sibakoti YC. Results of mesh repair for incisional hernia in Bir hospital. PMJN 2010;10:58-61.

[10.]   Sistla SC, Reddy R, Dharanipragada K, Jagdish S. Enterocutaneous fistula due to mesh fixation in the repair of lateral incisional hernia: a case report. Cases J. 2008;1:370. doi: 10.1186/1757-1626-1-370.

[11.]   Turkapar AG, Yerdel MA, Aydinnuraz K, Bayar S, Kuterdem E. Repair of midline incisional hernias using polypropylene grafts. Surg Today 1998;28:59-63.

[12.]   Vrijland WW, Jeekel J, Steyerberg EW, Den Hoed PT, Bonjer HJ. Intraperitoneal polypropylene mesh repair of incisional hernia is not associated with enterocutaneous fistula. Br J Surg. 2000;87:348-52.