Published in:
01-09-2011 | Case Report
Large foreign body reaction to tension-free vaginal tape masquerading as inguinal hernia
Authors:
Alexander C. von Roon, Pippa Letchworth, Michael Stafford
Published in:
International Urogynecology Journal
|
Issue 9/2011
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Abstract
We report a case of a 73-year-old woman who presented to general surgery with a tender lump in the groin 5 years after insertion of a tension-free vaginal tape. The lesion was thought to be an incarcerated inguinal hernia. Emergency surgical exploration revealed a 7 × 5 × 4 cm soft tissue mass which was adherent to the external inguinal ring, emanating from the end of the tension-free vaginal tape at the level of the symphysis pubis. Resection and histological examination revealed a central track of granulation tissue with a surrounding foreign body inflammatory response. The surgery was complicated by an infected seroma requiring surgical drainage and antibiotic therapy, following which the patient made a full recovery. Large foreign body reaction is a rare but an important complication of tension-free vaginal tapes and may be mistaken for a groin hernia or lymphadenopathy.