Comparison Between The Composite Heavy Weight Prolene Mesh Versus The Prolene Soft Mesh For The Reduction In Post-Operative Pain In Patients Undergoing Lichensteins Mesh Repair For Inguinal Hernias” A One Year Randomized Control Trial At Kles Dr Prabhakar Kore Hospital And Mrc, Belgaum

Abstract

Background and Objectives Lichtenstein hernia repair is commonly recommended in the management of inguinal hernia and currently, pain is considered the most important complication. The present study was aimed to compare the heavyweight composite polypropylene mesh versus the prolene soft mesh [lightweight macro-porous polypropylene mesh] for the reduction of post-operative pain. Methodology The present one year randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum from January 2012 to December 2012. A total of 60 patients requiring mesh repair were randomized into two groups of 30 each based on the mesh type as group SP (Prolene soft mesh [light-weight mesh]) and group RP (Polypropylene mesh [Heavy-weight mesh]). Results In the present study 96.67% of patients in group SP and all (100%) in group RP were males. The mean age (51.93±18.73 vs 49.50±14.03 years; p=0.571) and duration of disease (12.67±9.85 vs 15.10 ± 8.98 months; p=0.321) in group SP and RP was comparable. During first follow up, all the patients in group SP reported moderate pain compared to 60% patients in group RP (p<0.001). During second follow up, majority of the patients (90%) in group SP reported mild pain compared to 26.67% patients in group RP (p<0.001). At the third follow up, all the patients (100%) in group SP reported mild pain compared to 53.33% patients in group RP (p<0.001). The mean pain scores in group SP during first (4.50±0.57 vs 5.97±1.07), second (2.30±0.88 vs 4.27±1.48) and third (0.63±0.72 vs 2.57±1.79) were significantly less compared to group RP (p<0.001) but mean reduction in pain score from first follow up to third follow up was comparable in group SP (3.90±0.97) and RP (3.40±1.33) (p=0.092). Conclusion and interpretation Overall, the present study showed that, the prolene soft mesh (lightweight macro-porous polypropylene mesh) significantly reduced the post-operative pain in patients undergoing lichensteins mesh repair for inguinal hernia as compared to heavyweight composite polypropylene mesh.