Repair of abdominal wall hernias in horses using primary closure and subcutaneous implantation of mesh.
Authors: Kelmer G, Schumacher J
Journal: The Veterinary record
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Subcutaneous Mesh Repair for Equine Abdominal Hernias Abdominal wall hernias present a common post-surgical complication in horses, yet optimal repair techniques remain debated amongst equine surgeons. Kelmer and Schumacher's 2008 series reviewed surgical outcomes in over 40 horses treated via primary closure of the hernial ring using absorbable cruciate sutures, followed by subcutaneous mesh implantation under tension. The technique yielded excellent results, with only one failure (due to mesh infection) and consistently produced a cosmetically flat, uniformly reinforced abdominal wall without the anatomical complications associated with retroperitoneal mesh placement. By positioning mesh subcutaneously rather than in the retroperitoneal space, surgeons simplified dissection and substantially reduced the risk of iatrogenic peritoneal penetration—a recognised hazard of deeper implantation. For practitioners managing post-operative hernias, this approach offers a technically straightforward, durable repair with minimal morbidity, provided careful post-operative infection control is maintained around the implant site.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Subcutaneous mesh implantation offers a simpler, safer surgical technique for equine abdominal hernia repair with reduced complication risk
- •This approach produces strong, cosmetically acceptable repairs with minimal infection-related failures when proper tissue handling is maintained
- •Consider subcutaneous mesh placement as preferred method over retroperitoneal techniques to avoid peritoneal penetration complications
Key Findings
- •Subcutaneous mesh implantation successfully repaired abdominal wall hernias in over 40 horses with cosmetically acceptable results
- •Subcutaneous mesh placement simplified dissection and minimized risk of peritoneal cavity penetration compared to retroperitoneal placement
- •Only one failure occurred due to infection of tissue surrounding the mesh, indicating high success rate with few complications