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To Remove or Not to Remove?
Dear Anthony, AKA “Mesh,”
Removal of mesh can be a difficult procedure and has risks of its own, including damage to nearby nerves, spermatic cord/vas deferens, and weakening of the muscle. The rate at which these damages occur may be related to the operation(s) the patient has already had as well as the experience and technique of the surgeon.
The goal is to improve one’s symptoms, not to make it worse, so the decision to undergo mesh removal should be made on an individual basis.
If a mesh removal is performed AND no further mesh or other implant is placed, which in many instances is the best decision, there is a risk that the hernia will recur. In my practice, at that time, a less risky laparoscopic or robotic-assisted procedure is performed with some type of implant to secure the repair and restore the abdominal wall and pelvic floor.
By the way, I think “Chuck” was referring to the surgeons who contribute in Hernia Talk…