Laparoscopic and open incisional hernia repair using polypropylene mesh - a comparative single centre study.

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Hernia Repair Techniques
• Minimally Invasive Surgery

Background:

• Incisional hernia repair presents surgical challenges, with open and laparoscopic mesh repairs as primary options.
• Laparoscopic repair offers minimally invasive benefits but incurs higher costs due to composite mesh usage.
• This study investigates the safety and feasibility of using cost-effective polypropylene mesh in incisional hernia repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare open versus laparoscopic incisional hernia repair outcomes.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of polypropylene mesh in laparoscopic incisional hernia repair.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study of 80 patients (40 open, 40 laparoscopic) undergoing incisional hernia repair between December 2005 and December 2009.
• Mean follow-up periods were 26 months for open repair and 28 months for laparoscopic repair.
• All repairs utilized polypropylene mesh, with outcomes analyzed for complications, recurrence, and hospital stay.

Main Results:

• Lower midline incisions were the most common hernia site, often following obstetrical/gynecological surgery.
• Laparoscopic repair showed significantly fewer postoperative complications (5% vs. 25%) and shorter hospital stays (1.53 vs. 4.33 days) compared to open repair.
• Recurrence rates were similar (2.5%) in both groups, with one major complication (enterotomy) and one conversion in the laparoscopic group.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair demonstrates superior outcomes compared to open mesh repair.
• Intraperitoneal use of polypropylene mesh is a safe and effective option for incisional hernia repair, reducing costs.