Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Watery discharge from groin after hernia surgery in man
By Singh P et al.·2026·Department of General and Minimal Invasive Surgery, India·View original on Europe PMC →
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Original publication title: Vesicocutaneous fistula following laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair: An unusual complication - A case report.
Plain-English summary
A 46-year-old man with diabetes developed a rare condition called a vesicocutaneous fistula (VCF) a year after having surgery to fix an inguinal hernia. He noticed a smelly, watery discharge from a small opening in his skin near the surgery site when he urinated. Imaging tests showed that there was an abnormal connection between his bladder and the skin. To fix this, the doctors had to remove the damaged tissue and the surgical mesh, then repair the bladder. Thankfully, he healed completely within three months, and there was no return of the fistula or hernia.
Abstract
<h4>Abstract</h4>Vesicocutaneous fistula (VCF) represents an extremely rare complication following laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair, with fewer than twenty cases documented worldwide. We report a 46-year-old diabetic male who developed VCF 12 months after laparoscopic TAPP repair for left inguinal pantaloon hernia. The patient presented with malodorous watery discharge during micturition from a cutaneous opening in the left inguinal region. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a fistulous tract connecting the anterior bladder wall to the overlying skin. Cystoscopy confirmed mesh erosion into the bladder with an internal opening on the anterior wall. Surgical management included complete fistulectomy, mesh removal and two-layer bladder repair reinforced with omental patch. Complete fistula healing was achieved at 3 months with no recurrence of either the fistula or hernia. This case demonstrates that VCF can occur despite technically adequate TAPP repair and emphasises the need for high clinical suspicion when patients present with delayed inguinal symptoms, particularly in diabetic patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Europe PMC: https://europepmc.org/article/MED/41945480