Comparison between Dual Layer Intraperitoneal Mesh and Single Layer Mesh for Laparoscopic Ventral and Incisional Hernia Repair

Abstract

BACKGROUND A hernia is the abnormal exit of tissue or an organ, such as the bowel, through the wall of the cavity in which it normally resides. Hernias come in a variety of forms. The abdomen, specifically the groin, is most frequently involved. Incisional hernias and other ventral hernias are common surgical problems. A prosthetic mesh should always be used in ventral hernia repair (VHR). Now, the polypropylene mesh (PPM) has become the prosthetic mesh of choice in the repair of hernias, including inguinal hernia. Newer meshes are introduced, claiming lesser complication rate, but are invariably costlier than Polypropylene mesh (PPM) by 15 – 20 times. In this study we wanted to evaluate the outcomes of intraperitoneal monofilament and dual layer meshes in laparoscopic incisional and ventral hernia repair. METHODS This is a prospective observational study, with a minimum 30 cases for each type of mesh used. All those patients who had undergone ventral and incisional hernia laparoscopic repair at SRM General Hospital, Chennai between June 2018 and 2021 were included in the study. Data was entered in Microsoft excel for analysis, done by using SPSS software version 23. RESULTS Out of 86 hernias which were repaired laparoscopically, PPM was used in 34 (40 %) and composite meshes in 52 (60 %) cases. Out of 52 composite meshes, 11 cases (21.2 %) turned out with complications whereas out of 34 PPMs (11.8 %), 4 cases turned out with complications. CONCLUSIONS With the composite mesh, complications of intraperitoneal PPM (adhesions, inflammation, intestinal fistulisation, sinus formation, seroma and recurrence) may also occur. The difference between the meshes in the occurrence of these complications is not statistically important. KEY WORDS Hernia, Mesh, Surgery, Intraperitoneal Mesh, Laparoscopic Hernia Repair