Impact of bilateral inguinal hernia repair in male fertility: experimental study in rats and clinical trial comparing Lichtenstein and laparoscopic techniques

• Grant number: 15/08472-4
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2016
• End date: August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Edivaldo Massazo Utiyama
• Grantee: Edivaldo Massazo Utiyama
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Edna Frasson de Souza Montero ; Luciana Lamarão Damous

Abstract

The hernia inguinal repair has changed considerably over the past 15 years. The use of meshes for repair reduced recurrence rates, post-operative pain and facilitating the return of activities however, concern for testicular function and fertility had increased. The main advantages of laparoscopy compared to open surgery is the shorter hospital stay, early return to activity and lower incidence of chronic pain and numbness. However, with respect to the effects of hernia repair on testicular function, the data available in the literature remain uncertain, regardless of the technique used. Thus, this study aims to assess the impact of bilateral hernia repair in male fertility. Two sets of studies were performed: an experimental in rats and a randomized clinical trial. In the experimental study, 60 adult Wistar rats divided into three groups will be used: 1) Control: simple suture inguinotomy; 2) Stoppa: mesh placement on the vas deferens; and 3) Lichtenstein: mesh placed under the spermatic cord. Euthanasia will be held on 30th and 90th postoperative days, vas deferens and testes will be dissected and analyzed histo-morphometry, fibrosis, spermatogenesis, oxidative stress, cell proliferation, apoptosis and inflammation. In the clinical trial will be compared the Lichtenstein and laparoscopic techniques, correlating various analyzes in the pre and postoperative (90th and 180th days): biochemical, autoimmune, hormonal, perfusion and testicular volume, sperm, sexual disorders, pain and quality of life. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DAMOUS, S. H. B.; DAMOUS, L. L.; MIRANDA, J. S.; MONTERO, E. F. S.; BIROLINI, C.; UTIYAMA, E. M.. Could polypropylene mesh impair male reproductive organs? Experimental study with different methods of implantation. HERNIA, v. 24, n. 6, SI, APR 2020. (15/08472-4)

DAMOUS, S. H. B.; DAMOUS, L. L.; MIRANDA, J. S.; MONTERO, E. F. S.; BIROLINI, C.; UTIYAMA, E. M.. Could polypropylene mesh impair male reproductive organs? Experimental study with different methods of implantation. HERNIA, v. 24, n. 6, p. 12-pg., 2020-04-18. (15/08472-4)