A rare case of mechanical bowel obstruction caused by mesh plug migration

Tension-free hernia repair with a mesh plug is currently one of the most popular techniques for open inguinal hernioplasty. It is well tolerated by most patients and is associated with few complications. However, rare mesh migration has been reported. We describe a case of a 72-year-old man who had undergone inguinal hernioplasty with a mesh plug 2 years previously. He visited the emergency department complaining of vomiting. Strangulation ileus was suspected, and an emergency operation was performed. The mesh plug had migrated into the intra-peritoneal cavity, granulation tissue had formed around the plug, and the small intestine was involved in the granulation tissue. The small intestine was strangulated for more than 13 cm, and obstruction was present at this point.