Comparison of the clinical outcomes of self-gripping mesh versus staple fixation mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

AIM: Inguinal hernia repairs are the most common operations performed in general surgery practice worldwide. Different surgical techniques, mesh types and different fixation methods have been developed for hernia repair. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of staple fixation and self-gripping meshes used in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Forty patients who presented with inguinal hernia between January 2013 and December 2016 and underwent laparoscopic hernia repair were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to used staple fixation (SF group, n = 20) and self-gripping (SG group, n = 20) meshes. Operative and follow-up data of both groups were analyzed and compared in terms of operative time, postoperative pain levels, complications, recurrence, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, BMI, ASA score, and comorbidities. The mean operative time of SG group (52.75 +/- 17.58 min) was significantly lower than SF group (64.75 +/- 16.66 min) (p = 0.033). The mean postoperative 1st hour and 1st week pain scores was lower in SG group. Long-term follow-up revealed a single case of recurrence in the SF group, and none of the cases in either group had chronic groin pain. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, in our study where we compared two mesh types in laparoscopic hernia surgeries, it was concluded that self-gripping mesh is a fast, effective and safe mesh similar to polypropylene mesh, which can be used without increasing recurrence and postoperative pain rates, when applied by experienced surgeons.