A Comparative Study between Laparoscopic Hernia Repair and Open Lichtenstein Mesh Repair

Background: A prospective comparative study of open inguinal hernia mesh repair with laparoscopic inguinal hernia mesh repair was performed in a tertiary care centre in a rural setup. This study was conducted with an objective to compare the effectiveness of each procedure and complications if any.

Methods: 50 cases of an inguinal hernia admitted in the tertiary care centre rural area were selected by nonprobability (purposive) sampling method. All patients with uncomplicated hernia treated by open or laparoscopic method were included. The age /sex, incidence, mode of presentation, surgical treatment and postoperative complications were all evaluated and compared with standard published literature.

Results: Postoperative wound infection developed in 4 cases of open hernioplasty and 1 case in laparoscopic surgery. Hematoma and seroma at the operated site were found in 2 cases of open hernioplasty. The duration of hospitalization was 3.23 days in case of open hernioplasty while 3.5 days in a laparoscopic hernia. The mean duration of procedure was 71.5 min in open surgery while 84.25 min in laparoscopic group.

Conclusion: There was the less post-operative complication in the laparoscopic group. Laparoscopic hernioplasty has a comparable result with an open procedure.