Mesh migration following abdominal hernia repair: A case report, and literature review.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Postoperative hematoma and seroma, foreign body reaction, infection, mesh rejection, and fistula formation are the complications associated with the use of surgical mesh. Mesh migration is a rare but serious and challenging complication after hernia repair. When this happens, infection, abscess, fistula, and bowel obstruction are the most common sequelae.<h4>Case presentation</h4>Our patient was a 62-year-old woman with a history of appendectomy 30 years ago and then underwent 3 incisional hernia repair surgeries which the last one was 5 years ago using laparoscopic IPOM. The patient was nominated for surgery with a diagnosis of recurrent incisional hernia. The patient underwent laparotomy and after enterolysis, a small bowel loop was seen that adhered to McBurney's region, which was released. There was a mass inside the small bowel. Resection and anastomosis of the involved intestine were performed. After enterotomy, it was determined that this mass was the mesh used in the previous surgery.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Mesh migration is a rare consequence of incisional hernia repair with a prosthetic mesh. It can happen years after a hernia repair and it is additionally crucial to consider as a differential diagnosis in all patients who show unusual symptoms or abdominal pain.