Comparative Study Between Lightweight Meshes Versus Traditional Heavyweight Meshes for the Repair of Inguinal Hernia

Abstract

Background and aim: the ideal outcome of inguinal hernia surgery is to provide a repair that is free from recurrence, pain and infection with minimal scarring and with improvement in patient's quality of life. Aim of the work: this study aimed to compare light weight poliglecaprone (Ultrapropolypropylene/Monocryl), UltraPro™ mesh with the standard heavy weight polypropylene mesh in tension free Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair. Patients and methods: the current study included 40 patients complained of uncomplicated inguinal hernia and they were randomized into two groups according to the type of mesh used in tension free Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair. Group I, 20 patients received the standard polypropylene mesh. Group II, 20 patients received light weight UltraPro™ mesh, using sutures for their fixation. Results: the UltraPro™ (LWM) mesh proved to be as safe and effective as the standard (HWM) prolene mesh in repair of uncomplicated inguinal hernia. There was no difference between the two groups as regard to the technical difficulties, operative complications and surgeons were equally satisfied. There was more incidence of chronic pain with prolene mesh (25%) compared to (zero%) with UltraPro™ mesh. The mesh fixation time and the overall operative time were shorter with UltraPro™ mesh. Conclusion: the shorter operative time and the no-need to use analgesics could partially compensate the higher cost of UltraPro™ mesh in the absence of other economic factors such as the duration of patient improvement and return to work.