A comparative study of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and open inguinal hernia repair in adults

Abstract

Background:Hernia repair is a common surgical procedure, and postoperative recovery is uncomplicated in most patients. The present study was conducted to compare open versus laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.Materials & Methods: 42 patients with inguinal hernia of both genders were randomly divided into 2 groups. Each group had 21 patients. Group I were treated with open procedure and group II with laparoscopic repair.Parameters such as hospital stay, pain (VAS) and complications were compared. Results: Group I had 20 males and 1 females and group II had 21 males and no females. The mean operative time was 37.5 minutes in group I and 92.4 minutes in group II, length of hospital stay was 7.2 days in group I and 3.1 days in group II and return to work was 15.2 days in group I and 7.4 days in group II. Common complications were seroma 2 in group I and 1 in group II, urinary retention 4 in group I and hematoma 3 in group I and 1 in group II. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion:Authors found that laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was associated with less pain, the incidence of seromas, urinary retention and hematomas was less with laparoscopic method as compared to open hernia repair techniques along with earlier return to normal activities and less hospital stay. Hence, laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia found to be better as compared to open repair.