ABSTRACT
Background: Globally, inguinal hernia is the most common type of hernia, comprising of approximately 75% of all abdominal wall hernias.Aim of the study was to compare the heavyweight composite polypropylene mesh versus the prolene soft mesh for the reduction of post-operative pain in patients undergoing lichensteins mesh repair for inguinal hernia.Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum attached to KLE University’s J.N.M.C Belgaum.Results: Male preponderance was seen with 96.67% of patients in group SP and all (100%) patients in group RP were males. The mean age in group SP was 51.93±18.73 years compared to 49.50±14.03 years in group RP (p=0.571). The mean duration of the disease was 12.67±9.85 months in group SP whereas in group RP it was 15.10±8.98 months (p=0.321). The mean pulse rate in group SP and RP (79.60±5.64 vs 82.37±5.46 /min; p=0.059), systolic blood pressure (120.33±9.99 vs 124.33±11.94 mmHg; p=0.165) and diastolic blood pressure (73.73±6.76 vs 75.80±8.59 mmHg; p=0.305) were comparable. Right position was noted in 56.67% of patients in group SP compared to 50% of patients in group RP (p=0.673).Conclusions: Prolene soft mesh (lightweight macro-porous polypropylene mesh) significantly reduced the post-operative pain in patients undergoing lichensteins mesh repair for inguinal hernia as compared to heavyweight composite polypropylene mesh.