Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42118338›Full record

ReviewHernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery2026

Absorbable suture material in non-mesh inguinal hernia repair: a narrative review of Shouldice, Bassini, and Desarda techniques.

Christoph Paasch, Reiko Wiessner, Ralph Lorenz, Marguerite Yvonne Mainprize

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Christoph PaaschDepartment of Surgery, Shouldice Hospital, Markham, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3104-8288
Reiko WiessnerDepartment of General Surgery, Kardinal Schwarzenberg Klinikum, Schwarzach im Pongau, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9364-4336
Ralph LorenzDepartment of General and Abdominal Surgery, University Hospital Brandenburg an der Havel, Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9749-3005
Marguerite Yvonne MainprizeDepartment of Surgery, Shouldice Hospital, Markham, Canada. mmainprize@shouldice.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9631-7998

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTissue-based inguinal hernia repair is traditionally performed with non-absorbable sutures or wire. Interest exists in absorbable sutures, particularly long-term materials. This review summarizes evidence as a basis for potential future pilot studies in non-mesh techniques aiming to reduce foreign body load.

methodsA narrative literature review was conducted between October 2025 and January 2026 using a structured and transparent search strategy. Four investigators independently searched PubMed/MEDLINE for clinical studies on non-mesh inguinal hernia repair using absorbable sutures. Eligible studies were qualitatively synthesized, and levels of evidence were assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) classification. The search included title and abstract terms for Shouldice, Bassini, and Desarda.

resultsSixteen studies (1983-2023) were included, comprising randomized trials, prospective studies, and one registry analysis. In Shouldice Repair, recurrence ranged from 0.5% to 8.9% with 3-31 months follow-up, while registry data (9-year follow-up) showed increased reoperation risk versus non-absorbable sutures. Bassini repair using short-term absorbable sutures showed recurrence rates of 3.3% to 20%. Desarda repair demonstrated low recurrence rates (0-2.4%), particularly with long-term absorbable materials. Heterogeneity was substantial across design, materials, follow-up, and outcomes. Follow-up duration and reporting were inconsistent, limiting comparability and meta-analysis.

conclusionAvailable evidence indicates that absorbable sutures in established tissue-based inguinal hernia repair are associated with higher recurrence and cannot currently be recommended, particularly for Shouldice and Bassini repair. However, reducing permanent foreign body load remains important. Future research should focus on long-term or ultra-long-term absorbable sutures and hybrid approaches to enable durable, mesh-free repair without permanent foreign material.

Indexed as

Absorbable ImplantsHernia, InguinalHerniorrhaphySuturesSuture TechniquesHumansRecurrenceAbsorbable sutureBassiniDesardaInguinal herniaRecurrenceShouldice

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.