Publication:

Role of laparoscopy in incisional hernia and relative benefit of the laparoscopic incisional hernia repair to the open incisional hernia repair

Background Incisional hernia is a common complication of abdominal surgery. Historically the open repair with or without mesh was the mainstay of treatment. However, many recently published laparoscopic repair studies have challenged surgeons to re-evaluate which technique provides the best short and long term outcomes.

Methods The study was conducted on 50 patients admitted at GMC Bhopal with approval from college ethical committee.

Results In 50 cases 21 were male and 29 were female. 7 male (14%) and 15 female (30%) patients had undergone laproscopic mesh repair (LMR) and 14 male (28%) and 14 female (28%) patients had undergone open mesh repair (OMR). Total complication in OMR group is 10 (35%) and in LMR group is 2 (9.09%). Mean duration of hospital stay in LMR group was 6.6 days and in OMR group was 15.57 days. Post-operative patients of LMR group returned back to the work early (mean 12 days) compared to OMR group (mean 20.7 days). Mean post-operative day of movement in LMR group was 1 day and in OMR group was 2.03 days. Pain measured using visual analogue score on 3rd post-operative day showed decreased pain score in laparoscopic group (mean 2) compared to open group (mean 5.35).

Conclusions Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair provides lesser post-operative pain, lesser complications, shorter hospital stay and lesser economic impact as they returned to work early. Thus patients have less morbidity and improved quality of life.