Prospective, randomized, controlled trial comparing lightweight versus heavyweight mesh in chronic pain incidence after TEP repair of bilateral inguinal hernia

Abstract

Lightweight polypropylene mesh may be preferable to heavyweight mesh for TEP inguinal hernia repair because it provides less postoperative foreign body sensation; however, there was no significant difference in the incidence of chronic pain.

Inguinal hernia repair: current surgical techniques

“…The results were controversial and limited; only four of the laparoscopic surgery studies [82][83][84][85] had a follow-up longer than 3 months.…”

“…One meta-analysis [68] and 17 RCTs have been published comparing heavyweight meshes to lightweight meshes, with nine of the studies using open surgery [69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77] and eight using laparoscopic repair [78][79][80][81][82][83][84][85]. The results were controversial and limited; only four of the laparoscopic surgery studies [82][83][84][85] had a follow-up longer than 3 months.…”

Synthetic Implants in Hernia Surgery

“…There are reports that reduced tensile strength has a negative impact on the hernia recurrence and migration rate [11]. Studies were published that link the use of light-weight prostheses with reduced male fertility and increased peritoneal adhesions after operation [12].…”

Comparison of a lightweight polypropylene mesh (Optilene® LP) and a large-pore knitted PTFE mesh (GORE® INFINIT® mesh)—Biocompatibility in a standardized endoscopic extraperitoneal hernia model

“…Previously published studies concluded that lightweight, large-pore and monofilament meshes possess the best biocompatibility for hernia repair by inducing a lower rate of chronic inflammatory reaction and hence less postoperative pain, less seroma formation and foreign body sensation [33][34][35][36]. In view of the excellent in vitro characteristics observed in light-weight polypropylene meshes [8,12,32], we investigated the biocompatibility of the new Optilene® LP mesh in an established animal model [8].…”