The Comparison of Self-Gripping Mesh and Sutured Mesh in Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative chronic pain and other postoperative complications after the use of the self-gripping Progrip meshes and the application of conventional suture-fixed Lichtenstein procedure. Chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair is a complex problem. Many efforts have been put to reduce the postoperative chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair, and the results are conflicting. A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify studies comparing the outcomes of open inguinal hernia repair with self-gripping Progrip meshes and the conventional Lichtenstein technique. The present meta-analysis pooled the effects of outcomes of total 1353 patients enrolled into 5 randomized controlled trials and 2 prospective comparative studies. Statistically, there was no difference in the incidence of chronic pain [odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.51-1.08)]. And there was no statistical difference in the incidence of acute postoperative pain [odds ratio = 1.32, 95% CI (0.68-2.55)], hematoma or seroma [odds ratio = 0.89, 95% CI (0. 56-1.41)], wound infection [risk difference = -0.01, 95% CI (-0.02 to 0.01)], and recurrence [risk difference = 0.00, 95% CI (-0.01 to 0.01)]. The self-gripping mesh group was associated with a shorter operating time (1-9 minutes). When the self-gripping mesh compared with the conventional suture fixed Lichtenstein technique, while there was a difference in operative time, there were no differences in pain (chronic or acute) or other complications.