Role of laparoscopy in incisional hernia and relative benefit of the laparoscopic incisional hernia repair to the open incisional hernia repair

ABSTRACT

Background: Incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery. Historically the open repair with or without mesh was the mainstay of treatment. However, many recently published laparoscopic repair studies have challenged surgeons to re-evaluate which technique provides the best short and long term outcomes.Methods: The study was conducted on 50 patients admitted at GMC Bhopal with approval from college ethical committee.Results: In 50 cases 21 were male and 29 were female. 7 male (14%) and 15 female (30%) patients had undergone laproscopic mesh repair (LMR) and 14 male (28%) and 14 female (28%) patients had undergone open mesh repair (OMR). Total complication in OMR group is 10 (35%) and in LMR group is 2 (9.09%). Mean duration of hospital stay in LMR group was 6.6 days and in OMR group was 15.57 days. Post-operative patients of LMR group returned back to the work early (mean 12 days) compared to OMR group (mean 20.7 days). Mean post-operative day of movement in LMR group was 1 day and in OMR group was 2.03 days. Pain measured using visual analogue score on 3rd post-operative day showed decreased pain score in laparoscopic group (mean 2) compared to open group (mean 5.35).Conclusions: Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair provides lesser post-operative pain, lesser complications, shorter hospital stay and lesser economic impact as they returned to work early. Thus patients have less morbidity and improved quality of life.