Víctor Molina; Carlos Manterola & Grupo MINCIR

Summary

There is some evidence of association b collagen matrix alterations in patients with inguinal hernia (IH). The aim of this study was to determine the existence of alterations in the expression of MMP2 and TIMP2 in patients with primary IH. Case-control study conducted in the Department of Surgery and Emergency of Temuco Regional Hospital in 2009-2010 periods. We included subjects with primary IH over 15 years, without gender restriction (cases) and subjects without hernias, aged 15, underwent surgery for acute appendicitis (controls). Patients with conditions predisposing to the development of abdominal wall hernias were excluded. End point was determination of MMP2 and TIMP2 by Immunohistochemistry (IHC). Other studied variables were: smoking, family history of hernia, history of constipation, weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Descriptive statistics, analytical and logistic regression models were used. 21 cases and 20 controls were studied. 73% were men. The average age was 55.3±18.9 and 38.9±16.9 for cases and controls respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in the variables sex, height, weight, BMI and smoking between cases and controls. Significant difference was found in the variables, family history of hernia and history of constipation (more common in cases). IHC staining of MMP2 was higher in cases (53.4% vs. 40.0%, p=0.5068) and IHC of TIMP2 was higher in controls (35.0% vs. 23.8 %, p=0.7333). Multivariate analysis discarded confounders. With the methodology used has not been tested association between alteration of mechanisms of collagen degradation, manifested in MMP2 and TIMP2 expression with primary IH development.

KEY WORDS: Hernia; Inguinal hernia, Collagen Type I; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinases; Immunohistochemistry; Case-Control Studies.

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