Stoppa method – forgotten surgery

Abstract

Background: Treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias undoubtedly creates problems. Causes of the mentioned are changed anatomy after multiple medical procedures, laconic documentation or loss of faith in surgeons’ skills and effectiveness. In accordance with the recommendation of the European Hernia Society, recurrent hernias operated on via anterior approach, which are common in Poland, due to low popularity of laparoscopic methods, should be addressed via posterior approach. It is quite a challenge even for experienced surgeons, who often operate on hernia. Basing on our own experience we would like to remind the forgotten in Poland Stoppa surgery, which gives, according to the method’s author, less than 1% of recurrences. Material and method: Our humble material which this paper is based on consists of seven men who were operated on via the above method in the past three years in Department of General, Endocrinological Surgery and Gastroenterological Oncology. The only exceptions are the use of a polypropylene mesh instead of polyester and the additional use of histoacrylic glue to mount a mesh in three patients. In order to reach optimal hemostasis, we decided not to mount a Redon drainage tube above the mesh. Results: No one of the patients who underwent the procedure had a relapse of hernia. Complications that we describe in this paper did not require a surgical intervention and did not have a negative effect on quality of life of our patients. Conclusion: Many years of worldwide using this method proved that it is safe for the patient and prevents recurrence of inguinal hernia. Therefore, according to the authors it should be popularized in Poland