Postoperative pain after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a prospective comparison of sutures versus tacks.
OBJECTIVE
Mesh fixation in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair typically involves the use of tacks, transabdominal permanent sutures, or both of these. We compared postoperative pain after repair with either of these 2 methods.


METHODS
Patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair at the Mount Sinai Medical Center were prospectively enrolled in the study. They were sorted into 2 groups (1) those undergoing hernia repairs consisting primarily of transabdominal suture fixation and (2) those undergoing hernia repairs consisting primarily of tack fixation. The patients were not randomized. The technique of surgical repair was based on surgeon preference. A telephone survey was used to follow-up at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
From 2004 through 2005, 50 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine had hernia repair primarily with transabdominal sutures, and 21 had repair primarily with tacks. Both groups had similar average age, BMI, hernia defect size, operative time, and postoperative length of stay. Pain scores at 1 week, 1 month, and 2 months were similar. Both groups also had similar times to return to work and need for narcotic pain medication.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with primarily transabdominal sutures or tacks experience similar postoperative pain. The choice of either of these fixation methods during surgery should not be based on risk of postoperative pain.
Nguyen
Scott Q
SQ
Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York 10029, USA.
Divino
Celia M
CM
Buch
Kerri E
KE
Schnur
Jessica
J
Weber
Kaare J
KJ
Katz
L Brian
LB
Reiner
Mark A
MA
Aldoroty
Robert A
RA
Herron
Daniel M
DM
D005260:Female; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures / Q000009:adverse effects*