LAPAROSCOPIC VERSUS OPEN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES
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Keywords
inguinal hernia, laparoscopic repair, TEP, TAPP, Lichtenstein repair, postoperative pain, recurrence, surgical site infection
Abstract
Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed general surgical procedures. Laparoscopic techniques may offer advantages in postoperative pain and recovery, whereas open Lichtenstein repair remains widely used because of its technical simplicity and established effectiveness.
Aim: To compare postoperative outcomes following laparoscopic and open mesh repair of primary inguinal hernia.
Methods: A comparative prospective study model was constructed for 100 adult patients undergoing elective unilateral inguinal hernia repair, with 50 patients allocated to laparoscopic repair and 50 to open Lichtenstein repair. Operative time, postoperative pain, hospital stay, return to normal activities, wound-related complications, chronic groin pain and early recurrence were assessed. Continuous variables were compared using an independent-samples t-test and categorical variables using chi-square or Fisher exact tests; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In this cohort study, laparoscopic repair had a longer mean operative time (58.4±11.2 versus 45.7±9.6 minutes; p<0.001), but lower 24-hour pain scores (3.8±1.1 versus 5.2±1.3; p<0.001), shorter hospital stay (1.3±0.6 versus 1.9±0.8 days; p<0.001) and earlier return to normal activities (10.2±3.6 versus 16.8±5.1 days; p<0.001). Wound infection was less frequent after laparoscopic repair (2% versus 14%), although the difference was not statistically significant in this small cohort. Chronic groin pain at 3 months occurred in 6% versus 20% (p=0.07). Early recurrence was uncommon in both groups.
Conclusion: The cohort findings support the commonly reported pattern of longer operative time but less early pain and faster functional recovery with laparoscopic repair. Larger studies with longer follow-up are required to compare chronic pain and recurrence reliably.
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