The Use of Mosquito-Net Cloths as Prosthesis in Inguinal Hernia Repair: An Experience in Southern Sudan

Inguinal hernia is one of the commonest medical problems in Africa and the treatment via open repair is considered as one of the most affordable and secure procedures. In the industrialized countries, the gold standard treatment is represented by placing a prosthesis which is usually a mesh, made of alloplastic material, such as polypropylene. In developing countries, a piece of nylon mosquito-net without insecticide is a cheaper and safe alternative as prosthesis. This study shows the security of implant of nylon mosquito-net in 70 patients, operated on with Lichtenstein's tension-free technique, and performed in rural hospitals of Southern Sudan. The easy use of analyzed low-cost material and the demonstrated safety of these sterilized prostheses are two important factors that make them excellent solutions in poor and rural areas such as Southern Sudan. The aim of this article is to demonstrate that prostheses, made of well analyzed low-cost material, can be cost-effective and a valid solution for surgical inguinal hernia repair in both poor and rural developing areas.