Clinical Outcomes of Use of Self-Gripping Semi-Absorbable Mesh in Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Descriptive Study, General Surgery

Background: Lichtenstein tension-free mesh hernioplasty is the most commonly used technique for the open repair of inguinal hernia. The common surgical concern is mesh fixation and post- operative pain. The aim of this study was to report the clinical outcomes using self-gripping semi absorbable mesh. Methods: Sixty (60) patients (inguinal hernias) underwent open Lichtenstein hernia repair with Progrip Covidien mesh. Patient pain as measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) in post op period and subsequently on follow-up. Clinical evaluation, with careful attention to the identification of hernia recurrence and post-operative pain was performed after 1 month, 3 month, 6 month and 1 year. The evaluation of fixation precision, quality of fixation and ease of use was assessed by the primary surgeon. Results: Of 60 cases, 17 (28.3 %) had good fixation and 43 (71.7 %) had very good fixation accuracy, 9 (15.0 %) had good quality of grip and 51 (85.0 %) had very good quality of grip, 1 (1.7 %) had bad manipulability, 30 (50.0 %) had good manipulability and 29 (48.3 %) had very good manipulability. Distribution of mean � SD of post-op hospital stay in the study group was 3.3 � 0.79 days and the minimum � maximum range of duration of hospital stay was 2 � 5 days. Of 60 cases, 2 (3.3 %) had induration and 58 (96.7 %) did not have induration, none had incidence of seroma / hematoma. Distribution of mean � SD of duration to return to work in the study group was 17.20 � 1.63 days and the minimum � maximum range of duration to return to work was 14 � 24 days. Of 60 cases, none had incidence of recurrence. Distribution of mean pain score at 1-month, 6-month and 12-month post-op follow-ups is significantly higher compared to mean pain score at 1-week post-op follow-up (P-value