ABSTRACT
Objective To study the application value of lightweight mesh in the ventral hernia tension-free hernia repair in middle-age and elderly patients. Methods The retrospective cohort study method was used to analyze the clinical data and followed information about 284 cases of tension-free hernia repair in our hospital. The patients were randomly divid-ed into experimental group and control group. The lightweight mesh and heavyweight mesh were used in experimental group and control group respectively. The information was collected including age, sex, inguinal hernia type, combined chronic dis-ease, operative time, blood loss, the duration of hospitalization, surgical expenses and other indicators. Data were followed up in patients including postoperative chronic pain, limited mobility, surgical numbness, the recurrent, foreign body sensation. Results The average cost of surgery was higher in experimental group[ (9 404.54±314.87) yuan]than that in control group [(7 613.94±329.68) yuan]. There were no significant differences in the operative time, blood loss and length of hospital stay between two groups. Results of follow-up data showed that the early postoperative chronic pain, early and long-term activity limitation, long-term surgery area numbness and foreign body sensation were lower in experimental group than those in con-trol group. Conclusion The cost of lightweight mesh was higher than that of heavyweight mesh in the ventral tension-free hernia repair therapy. It is worth to apply the lightweight mesh, which can reduce the incidence of postoperative pain, numb-ness and other adverse reactions.