Comparing the sexual function 4-months after nylon darn to open mesh in men with inguinal hernias repairs in a pilot prospective cohort study

Inguinal hernia (IH) is a common surgical pathology worldwide. Even though nylon darn repair is commonly used, little is known about the incidence of erectile problems post darn despite the perceived occurrence being a major deterrent of surgical intervention. This study was conducted to determine the rate, patients and hernia factors that could predict the occurrence of erectile function and quality of life post nylon darn repairs. Consecutive adult male participants with normal erection who underwent open hernia repair for primary unilateral inguinal hernia was included in the study. Data on sociodemographic, nature of hernia, complications and overall quality of life post repair was collected, analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 and associations with erectile dysfunction determined. A total of 104, 48 (46.2%) nylon darn and 56 (53.8%) open mesh repaired participants with a mean age of 50.0 ± 15.9 years completed the study and were included in the analysis. Erectile problems were reported by 11(12.1%) [nylon darn 5(11.1%) and mesh 6(13.0%)] participants. Majority (95.8%) of participants reported a significant improvement in their quality-of-life post-surgery. Erectile dysfunction occurring after nylon darn hernia repairs in this study was comparable to those with open mesh repair with no significant difference between the choice of methods. Nylon darn appeared to have a better numerical overall improvement of the quality of life. The Nylon darn technique of inguinal hernia repair was not associated with increased erectile dysfunction compared to the open mesh inguinal repairs. Patients for nylon darn should follow the same counselling as open mesh repairs do on the possibility of ED.