Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of sutureless incisional open hernia repair with mesh fixation only using a fibrin glue sealant.
Methods: From 2002 to 2007, 40 patients underwent surgical recurrent incisional hernia repair, consisting of a sutureless positioning of a retromuscolar-preperitoneal polypropylene stiff mesh, fixed only with 2 ml of human fibrin glue.
Results: The average hospitalization period was 3 days; postoperative complications occurred in seven patients: wound infection in four patients and hematoma in three patients. Seroma was not observed. Postoperative pain occurred in two patients, while chronic pain occurred in one patient; the remaining 37 patients were pain-free.
Conclusions: The use of an open retromuscolar mesh is an easy, inexpensive and relatively safe method to repair large incisional hernias. In our study the use of fibrin glue sealant demonstrated a low incidence of postoperative pain and short hospitalization.