Open versus laparoscopic repair of umbilical and paraumbilical hernia

Introduction: Umbilical and paraumbilical hernia are frequently encountered in surgical practice but there is still debate going on regarding the optimal surgical approach. There are very few prospective studies comparing the laparoscopic and open method of umbilical and paraumbilical hernia repair. This study compared the outcomes following laparoscopic and open mesh repair of the umbilical and paraumbilical hernia.
Aims and objectives: To assess and compare the outcomes of open and laparoscopic repair of umbilical and paraumbilical hernia with respect to duration of surgery, post-operative pain, post-operative complications, length of hospital stay, return to normal activity and recurrences of hernia.
Methods and materials: A prospective study of 40 patients above 18 years of age who presented to Postgraduate Department of Surgery, Government Medical College, Jammu for repair of umbilical and paraumbilical hernia from October 2021 to November 2022. Patients were placed in two groups each having 20 patients based on hernia defect size. Demographic data, hernia characteristics, and outcomes were compared
Results: Out of 40 patients, those with defect size more than 2cm underwent laparoscopic repair while patients with defect size less than 2cm underwent open repair using mesh. Most of the patients were females with high BMI. Laparoscopic repair technique led to lesser postoperative pain, early return to normal activity, shorter hospital stay and less recurrence of hernia as compared to open repair. Postoperative complications like wound infection, hematoma, seroma formation were fewer in the laparoscopic repair group.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic repair is safe and effective technique when compared to open repair technique as it showed better patient outcomes and lesser postoperative complications. Patients with larger hernias showed better results after laparoscopic repair.