RESUMO
To compare the operative time and post-operative pain in laparoscopic and open mesh repair of ventral hernias. From October, 2010 to February, 2011 in surgery department, Holy Family hospital, Rawalpindi. In this Randomized Clinical Trial a total of 160 patients were included after taking approval from hospital ethical committee and informed written consent from each patient. The admitted patients for elective surgical repair of ventral hernia were randomly allocated to Group A [laparoscopy] and B [open repair]. Information regarding operative time and pain scores after 12, 24 and 72 hours of surgery was recorded. In group A, the mean age was 41.10 +/- 8.98 years and in group B 41.23 +/- 9.18 years. There were 36 [22.25%] male patients. There were 18 [11.3%] patients of Incisional, 107 [66.9%] patients of umbilical/paraumbilical and 35[21.9%] patients of Epigastric hernia in this study. In group A, the mean operative time was significantly [p-value= 0.000] less [66.56 +/- 16.14 minutes vs. 71.21 +/- 12.91 minutes] as compared to group B. There was no difference in mean pain score at 12th hour [p-value= 0.797]. At 24th hour and 72nd hour the mean pain score in Laparoscopic group was significantly [p-value = 0.000] lower. Laparoscopic management of ventral hernia resulted in short operative time, less pain at 24th and 72th hours. So it should be considered as the procedure of choice for ventral hernia repair