Evaluating Postoperative Infection Risks and Management in Mesh Hernia Repairs: Insights from Al-Imam Al-Sadique Teaching Hospital, Babylon

Background: A hernia is characterised by the protrusion of abdominal contents through a weakened area of the abdominal wall. Incisional hernias, which develop at sites of previous surgical incisions, are relatively common and often pose significant treatment challenges. A major postoperative complication is mesh-related infection, leading to considerable morbidity and presenting a serious clinical management issue.
Aim of the Study: This study aims to present our institutional protocol for managing mesh-related infections and to provide a narrative review of surgical site infections following hernia repair, with a focus on associated risk factors and treatment strategies.
Methodology: This prospective interventional study was conducted at Al Imam Al-Sadiq Teaching Hospital over a three-year period, from January 2022 to July 2024. A total of 40 patients diagnosed with mesh infections after incisional hernia repair were included. Data collected encompassed demographic information, clinical characteristics, identified risk factors, and treatment outcomes.
Results: Among the 40 patients analysed, the mean age was 52.3 years, with a female predominance (32 cases, 80%). Key risk factors for mesh infection included advanced age, obesity, smoking, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes mellitus. Conservative management led to infection resolution in 77.5% of cases, while 22.5% required surgical removal of the mesh.
Conclusions: Mesh-related infections following incisional hernia repair are multifactorial in origin. Although conservative treatment is effective in most cases, mesh explantation is necessary for refractory infections. Preoperative optimisation of modifiable risk factors plays a critical role in reducing infection rates. Continued research and advances in surgical techniques are essential to improving patient outcomes