Comparative evaluation of sublay versus onlay mesh repair for ventral hernia

To compare sublay and onlay techniques of ventral hernia repair in terms of postoperative drain removal time and wound infection.

This randomised controlled study was conducted from June to December 2016 at Jinnah Medical and Dental College Hospital, Karachi, and comprised hernia patients who were divided into two equal groups A and B. The former were subjected to onlay technique while the latter underwent sublay technique. Operative repair was performed at least 1 year after the index surgery, as this time was required for scar maturation. Data was analysed using SPSS 23, and mean drain removal time between the groups was compared.

There were 100 patients, with 50(50%) in each of the two groups. Mean age of patients in group A was 40.30±4.52 years while in group B, it was 39.12±4.58 years. The mean drain removal time in group A was 4.40±1.53 days and in group B it was 3.06±0.23 days (p=0.01).The difference in terms of wound infection was also significant (p=0.04).

Sublay hernia repair was found to be a good alternative to onlay repair for treatment of ventral hernia.