To investigate the clinical effect of debridement for mesh infection after inguinal tension-free hernia repair.

The retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted.The clinical data of 35mesh infection patients after inguinal tension-free hernia repair who were admitted to West China Hospital of Sichuan University form May 2012 to January 2018 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) preoperative and surgical situations: complication, duration of hospital stay and antibiotics; (2) Follow-up situations: recurrence and long-term complications of debridement for mesh infection. Followup using telephone interview, outpatient examination and inpatient examination was performed to detect the hernia recurrence andlong-term complications for 3 months up to July 2018. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as ±s.

(1)Surgical and postoperative situations: 35 mesh infection patients underwent successful debridement. Postoperatively, all patients were treated with systemic antibiotic therapy and received indwelling plasma drainage-tube after debridement. 33 patients with general anaesthesia debridement were done. 2 patients with local anaesthesia were done. Of 35 patients, 3 intestinal perforation was found. The duration of hospital stay was (6.72±3.43) days. (2) Follow-up situation: All patients were followed up for 3 months, without recurrence and related complications of inguinal hernia.

Debridement for mesh removal was also a commendatory method for mesh infection. Debridement for mesh removal should be considered if no improvement after a 2-week conservative management.