Comparative Study between Heavy-Weight Mesh and Light-Weight Mesh in Ventral Hernia Repair

Abstract

Background: Ventral hernia may be spontaneously (primary ventral hernia) or at the site of a previous surgical incision (incisional hernia). Ventral hernias are classified according to their location and etiology, a primary ventral hernia is classified as a (para-) umbilical, epigastric or Spigelian hernia (between the muscles of the abdominal wall). Objective: This work aims to study and compare the use of the heavy-weight mesh and light-weight mesh in ventral hernia repair. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on patients (male and females) suffering from ventral hernia “primary or incisional” admitted to the General Surgery Department, at Nasser Institute Hospital and Al-Azhar University Hospital during the period from June 2018 to May 2019. Results: Quality of life (QOL) values in the 3rd postoperative month were not statistically significant higher in the LW group than that of the HW group. QOL values of the both groups in the 3rd postoperative month were significantly higher when compared to the baseline (preoperative values). Foreign body sensation was significantly less frequent in the LW group than that of the HW group. Conclusion: The lightweight mesh offers benefits over heavyweight mesh for ventral hernia repair by reducing the incidence of chronic pain and foreign body sensation.