Greetings listers, Need advise from experts here for a
complication post hernia repair of my abdomen. Case history
goes like this . An abdominal surgery ( open method ) for
treating ileal perforations. 2 years later ( June 2003 ) ,
another open method to implant a PTFE Dual mesh ( thanks to
listers here and Howard in particular : for suggesting the
mesh ) . Now, an year after the mesh being implanted , an
opening developed ( cutaneous sinus is what my doc called it
) on my skin and started oozing., which was found to be
because of some pus collection inside. some infection ?
A CT Sinogram read:
- Contrast introduced into the anterior abdominal wall sinus
is seen to track across the anterior abdominal wall to a
deep plane between the rectus muscles. There is collection
of contrast in this plane for a supero inferior extent of
above 17 cms .
- No communication with bowel.
Now , my surgeon tells me that I've to go thro another
surgery and have the pus cleaned up . and he also foresees a
possibility of replacing the mesh which might have got
eroded. One surprising thing was that he questioned my
decision to choose a dual mesh and he said he'd never
'recommend' a mesh to his doctor and go with the regular
mesh ( sorry forgot the name - propylene ? ).
My questions :
- Is surgery , the only solution to clear off this infection
? I'm really scared now , thinking how long it can go.
This is already going to be 4th surgery , all because of
the first one leading to second ..and second leading to
third etc. Is this series really going to end ?
- Any alternate medicine techniques ? ( no flames
please 🙂 )
- What could be the possible reasons for such an infection .
Doc tells me it could be from the mesh material or the
suture material . How can I assure that such 'material'
mistake doesnt happen this time atleast ( if I'm forced
for another )
- My surgeon also sees a possibility of eroded mesh and
might have to replace the mesh .which means a full open
surgery again . Is this a possibility with goretex ?
Not sure if it's a good question. but ,is laparoscopy
relevant in this case ?