Abstract: Objective To investigate the application value of combined ultrasound and CT diagnosis of mesh infection after open inguinal hernia tensionless repair.Methods 83 patients admitted to our hospital with confirmed patch infection after tension-free repair of open inguinal hernia were studied,all of whom underwent preoperative ultrasound and abdominal CT examination,and intraoperative confirmation was the diagnostic criteria.To compare the value of ultrasonography, CT and combined examination in the diagnosis of mesh infection after open tension-free inguinal hernia repair. Results Among the 83 patients,the compliance rate of ultrasound diagnosis of mesh infection was 75.90%(63/83 cases);the compliance rate of CT diagnosis of mesh infection was 86.74%(72/83 cases);and the compliance rate of ultrasound combined with CT diagnosis of mesh infection was 87.95%(73/83 cases).The accuracy,sensitivity,specificity,and kappa values of ultrasound,CT,and ultrasound combined with CT in predicting the depth of mesh infection compared with the results confirmed during surgery were 88.76%,75.73%,90.58%,and 0.695;91.16%,80.96%,93.06%,and 0.774;and 91.97%,83.52%,93.64%,and 0.795.The combined examination was better than ultrasonography alone and CT alone in the diagnosis of postoperative mesh infection after open inguinal hernia repair(P<0.05). Conclusion Ultrasound combined with CT is better than ultrasound alone and CT alone in diagnosing mesh infection after open inguinal hernia repair without tension.

Key words: inguinal hernia, open tension-free repair, mesh infection, CT examination, B-ultrasonography, combined examination