Consequences of endoscopic inguinal hernioplasty with mesh on subsequent open radical prostatectomy

Aim To determine the effect of prior endoscopic hernia repair with prosthetic mesh on subsequent open radical prostatectomy. Methods A retrospective study from 1990 to 2004 identified nine patients with preperitoneal mesh placement followed by open radical prostatectomy. Case controls (n = 26) were matched for age, type of operation, year of surgery and pathologic stage of prostatic adenocarcinoma. Outcome variables of operating time, number of pelvic lymph nodes excised, duration of hospital stay, duration of urinary catheterization, recurrence rates, and incidence of complications were compared. Data analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's rank sums test. Results Intraoperatively, subjective difficulty in dissection was documented in all cases by the performing urologist. Duration of hospital stay was significantly increased by 1.3 days (p < 0.05), as compared to the control group. However, no statistically significant increase in mean operating time ( 173 vs. 172 min, p = 0.925), number of lymph nodes sampled (4.4 vs. 6.6, p = 0.147), duration of urinary catheterization ( 22 vs. 19 days, p = 0.925), oncologic recurrence (11 vs. 11% at 6.1 and 4.8 years follow-up), or complications was found. Conclusions Prior TEP/TAPP did not increase the morbidity or mortality of subsequent prostate surgery. Despite some subjective operative difficulty, open prostatectomy was safe and feasible in all cases with a comparable oncologic outcome. Mesh-associated inflammation may preclude adequate nodal sampling. While endoscopic hernia repair remains an excellent option to fix unilateral, bilateral, and recurrent herniae, consideration of future prostate surgery is important. Inserting less "inflammatory" mesh or using an open, anterior approach may be prudent in some men at high risk for needing subsequent prostate surgery.