Published online Feb 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i2.294
Peer-review started: December 2, 2022
First decision: December 19, 2022
Revised: December 25, 2022
Accepted: February 8, 2023
Article in press: February 8, 2023
Published online: February 27, 2023
In recent years, mesh has become a standard repair method for parastomal hernia surgery due to its low recurrence rate and low postoperative pain. However, using mesh to repair parastomal hernias also carries potential dangers. One of these dangers is mesh erosion, a rare but serious complication following hernia surgery, particularly parastomal hernia surgery, and has attracted the attention of surgeons in recent years.
Herein, we report the case of a 67-year-old woman with mesh erosion after parastomal hernia surgery. The patient, who underwent parastomal hernia repair surgery 3 years prior, presented to the surgery clinic with a complaint of chronic abdominal pain upon resuming defecation through the anus. Three months later, a portion of the mesh was excreted from the patient’s anus and was removed by a doctor. Imaging revealed that the patient’s colon had formed a t-branch tube structure, which was formed by the mesh erosion. The surgery reconstructed the structure of the colon and eliminated potential bowel perforation.
Surgeons should consider mesh erosion since it has an insidious development and is difficult to diagnose at the early stage.
Core Tip: In recent years, mesh has become a standard repair method for parastomal hernia surgery because it has the advantages of a low recurrence rate and low postoperative pain. However, using mesh to repair parastomal hernias also carries potential dangers. We report a case of a rare complication caused by mesh erosion 3 years after parastomal hernia repair using the keyhole method. Its atypical symptoms and imaging findings complicated the diagnosis. The aim of this case report was to raise awareness of this rare complication among surgeons.