To investigate the treatment strategy of incisional infection associated with mesh repair after tension-free repair of inguinal hernia.

A retrospective analysis was carried out of twenty-two incisional infection cases in the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2003 to December 2016 of the clinical manifestations, bacterial culture, treatment and prognosis, and to explore its treatment strategy.

Among the 22 cases of post-operative infection, 17 cases (77.3%) were positive for bacterial culture, including 8 cases (47.1%) of Staphylococcus aureus, 5 cases (29.4%) of surface Staphylococcus and 4 cases (23.5%) of Escherichia coli. The infected patients were treated with anti-infection therapy, local drainage and dressing change. Thirteen patients were cured, and no recurrence occurred 1 year after recovery. The infection course was more than 6 months in 9 cases. After 12 months, all the patches were removed completely. Among them, 5 cases underwent primary suture and local hose drainage. The average healing time of incision was (21.5±4.5) days, and 1 case recurred. The recurrence rate was 20.0%. The average time of wound healing was (23.3±5.0) days in 4 patients with open wound drainage after debridement, and no recurrence occurred.

Most of the superficial incisional infection after tension-free repair can be cured by conservative treatment. However, for deep infections that have not been cured for more than 6 months, the patch should be completely removed and thoroughly debrided. Open drainage can be cured and avoid recurrence.