Lightweight versus heavyweight mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Reinforcement of inguinal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh is standard practice but can cause considerable pain and stiffness around the groin and affect physical functioning. This has led to various types of mesh being engineered, with a growing interest in lighter-weight mesh. Minimally invasive approaches have also significantly reduced postoperative recovery from inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the outcomes after laparoscopic inguinal repair using new lightweight or traditional heavyweight mesh in published randomised controlled trials.


METHODS
Medline, Embase, trial registries, conference proceedings, and reference lists were searched for controlled trials of heavyweight versus lightweight mesh for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias. The primary outcomes were recurrence and chronic pain. Secondary outcomes were visual analogue pain score at 7 days postoperatively, seroma formation, and time to return to work. Risk differences were calculated for categorical outcomes and standardised mean differences for continuous outcomes.


RESULTS
Eight trials were included in the analysis of 1,667 hernias in 1,592 patients. Mean study follow-up was between 2 and 60 months. There was no effect on recurrence [pooled analysis risk difference 0.00 (95% CI -0.01 to 0.01), p = 0.86] or chronic pain [pooled analysis risk difference -0.02 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.00); p = 0.1]. Lightweight and heavyweight mesh repair had similar outcomes with regard to postoperative pain, seroma development, and time to return to work.


CONCLUSIONS
Both mesh options appear to result in similar long- and short-term postoperative outcomes. Further long-term analysis may guide surgeon selection of mesh weight for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
Department of General Surgery, Croydon University Hospital, 530 London Road, Croydon, CR7 7YE, UK. a.currie@imperial.ac.uk
Andrew
A
Currie
Helen
H
Andrew
Alfredo
A
Tonsi
Paul R
PR
Hurley
Sanjay
S
Taribagil
D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000209:etiology; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012008:Recurrence; D049291:Seroma / Q000209:etiology; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome