A comparative analysis between laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair at a tertiary care center

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Hernia Repair Techniques
• Infectious Disease in Surgery

Background:

• Open ventral hernia repair is associated with higher complication rates.
• Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is a potential alternative with improved outcomes.
• Preoperative factors may influence postoperative complication risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare postoperative infectious outcomes between laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair.
• To identify patient and hernia characteristics associated with increased complication risk.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 268 ventral hernia repairs (January 2004-January 2006).
• Analysis of wound healing complications and hernia recurrence.
• Statistical analysis including chi-squared, Fisher's exact, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, and multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Laparoscopic repair had significantly lower superficial surgical site infection (SSI) rates (10.7%) than open repair (30.0%).
• Diabetes and open repair were independently associated with increased superficial SSI risk.
• Wound contamination and simultaneous surgery were more frequent in open procedures.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair is associated with reduced rates of superficial SSI compared to open repair.
• Diabetes is a significant preoperative risk factor for superficial SSI in ventral hernia repair.
• Most other preoperative patient and hernia characteristics did not significantly increase complication risk.