An observational study to compare the outcomes of onlay technique with combined onlay-plug technique of mesh hernioplasty in inguinal hernia

Abstract

Background: Inguinal Hernia is a common entity in general surgical practices across the world. Its management though appears to be straightforward, could still be a nightmare for a surgeon if not dealt with proper attention and care. Lichtenstein’s mesh hernioplasty is still one of the most popular surgeries performed for inguinal hernia repair across the world. At our institute, we commonly perform this surgery with either Onlay mesh hernioplasty technique or combined Onlay-Plug mesh technique. The double mesh placement had always kept us engaged in regards to its post-operative outcomes and its advantage over single onlay mesh. We were also keen to take the subject due to the scarce availability of the recent literature.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, Dr. Hedgewar Hospital, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India on 200 patients who were randomly and equally divided into two groups. Patients in Group A underwent Onlay mesh hernioplasty surgery, while patients in Group B underwent combined Onlay-Plug mesh hernioplasty surgery. Post-operative outcomes were assessed in both groups for a period of six months.Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of post-operative pain, scrotal edema, cord tenderness, and wound infection as patients in Group 2 who underwent combined Onlay-Plug mesh repair were found to have more incidences of the above-mentioned post-operative outcomes.Conclusions: Single Onlay mesh placement is sufficient. There is no significant benefit of keeping an additional Plug/Inlay mesh in patients undergoing tension-free mesh inguinal hernioplasty as per our findings.