Small bowel volvulus caused by migrating mesh plug

The choice of material and technique for repair of inguinal hernias is broad. The mesh plug technique has become one of these techniques. The local complications of this technique are well known and include entrapment and damage of nervous and reproductive structures causing pain and even infertility. Migration of the mesh recently has become evident. We found a few cases of migrating mesh plug in the literature. We report a 76-year-old male patient who presented during admission for a neurosurgical procedure. His hospital course was complicated by migrating mesh eroding into the small intestine presenting as a small bowel obstruction. During exploratory laparotomy, a small bowel volvulus was found and reduced along with resection of the bowel-mesh complex. We discuss and review this technique's complications, including a 9-year review of adverse events reported to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.