Individual mesh size for open anterior inguinal hernia repair: an anthropometric study in Turkish male patients.

Purpose: To conduct a study to determine the measurements of the inguinal region in male patients with inguinal hernias to reveal the proper mesh size for each patient.

Methods: In this prospective study, the anthropometric measurements were obtained from 100 consecutive adult male patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernias. First, the distance between the pubic tubercle and the medial border of the deep inguinal ring was measured (x). Second, the distance between the inner edge of the inguinal ligament and the uppermost level of the internal oblique aponeurosis at the midpoint of the inguinal ligament corresponding to the Hesselbach triangle was measured (y). Individual mesh sizes were calculated according to the original recommendations for mesh overlap.

Results: The mean x value was 41.6 mm (22-55 mm), the mean y value was 45.2 mm (30-68 mm). The mean dimensions of the mesh were 126.6 mm × 65.2 mm. The largest mesh was 140 mm × 88 mm, and the smallest one was 107 mm × 62 mm. The mean mesh area was 8320 mm. It was larger than the index mesh area recommended by the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute in 45 patients and smaller in 55 patients.

Conclusions: The intraoperative measurements for ideal mesh size in Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernias may present somewhat different mesh dimensions in many patients. Individualization of mesh size may be of importance in surgical outcomes.