A Comparative Study of Open versus and Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair

Introduction An incisional hernia is defined as any abdominal wall defect with or without a bulge in the area of postoperative scar perceptible or palpable by clinical examination or imaging. Aim& Objectives The Aim of this study is to compare the results of laparoscopic inlay mesh repair of incisional hernia with that of open onlay repair. Material& Methods The study will be conducted in Department of Surgery of S. N. MEDICAL COLLEGE, Agra. A total of 46 patients were included in the study, out of which 20 underwent laparoscopic incisional hernia repair and 26 underwent open incisional hernia repair. All the patients were followed up till 3 months from day of incisional hernia repair. All patients with proven incisional hernia, on USG / CECT abdomen will be conducted in the study. Only those patients who have no obvious neurological impairment, coagulopathy or hematological disorder and fit for surgery will be included in the study. Results Laparoscopic inlay mesh repair is associated with less intra operative blood loss (Mean intraoperative blood loss 26 ml versus 90.77 ml), less postoperative pain (Mean VAS at POD 0 was 5.35 versus 7.08, Mean VAS at POD 2 was 2.5 versus 4.1), shorter duration of hospital stay (Mean day of discharge 2.55 versus 5.38), quicker resumption of daily activities (Mean day of resumption of daily activity 2.0 versus 3.38), early return to work (Mean day of return to work 8.05 versus 13.67) and less postoperative complications (Total number of postoperative complications 0 versus 7) as compared to open onlay mesh repair. Conclusion Laparoscopic inlay mesh repair is associated with less intra operative blood loss, less postoperative pain and shorter duration of hospital stay, quicker resumption of daily activities, early return to work and less postoperative complications. However, in our results we observed longer operative time in laparoscopic inlay mesh repair as compared to open onlay mesh repair.