A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MESH REPAIR VERSUS ANATOMICAL REPAIR IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING SURGERY FOR INGUINAL HERNIA AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical conditions encountered in general surgical practice. 
Surgical repair remains the definitive treatment for symptomatic inguinal hernia. Conventional anatomical tissue repair 
techniques have gradually been replaced by tension-free mesh repair because of reduced postoperative pain, earlier 
recovery, and lower recurrence rates. 
Aim: To compare the postoperative outcomes of mesh repair and anatomical repair in patients undergoing surgery for 
uncomplicated inguinal hernia. 
Methods: A prospective comparative study was conducted among 140 patients diagnosed with uncomplicated inguinal 
hernia in the Department of General Surgery. Patients were divided into two equal groups. Group A underwent anatomical 
tissue repair, while Group B underwent Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair. Patients aged 18–70 years with primary 
unilateral uncomplicated inguinal hernia were included. Patients with recurrent hernia, bilateral hernia, strangulated 
hernia, severe systemic illness, or previous lower abdominal surgery were excluded. Operative duration, postoperative 
pain, hospital stay, complications, return to normal activity, and recurrence during follow-up were evaluated. Data were 
analyzed using SPSS software version 18. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation, while 
categorical variables were represented as percentages. The independent t-test and Chi-square test were used. A p-value 
less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 
Results: Both groups were comparable with respect to age distribution and clinical presentation. Groin swelling was 
present in all patients. Operative duration was significantly longer in the mesh repair group. However, patients undergoing 
mesh repair had significantly lower postoperative pain scores, shorter hospital stay, earlier return to normal activity, and 
lower recurrence rate. Wound infection and seroma formation were significantly more common in the anatomical repair 
group. 
Conclusion: Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair demonstrated better postoperative outcomes compared with 
anatomical tissue repair in uncomplicated inguinal hernia. Reduced pain, shorter hospitalization, earlier return to normal 
activity, fewer complications, and lower recurrence were important advantages of mesh repair. Mesh repair may therefore 
be considered the preferred surgical technique for primary uncomplicated inguinal hernia.