Influence of mesh type on the quality of early outcomes after inguinal hernia repair in ambulatory setting controlled study: Glucamesh® vs Polypropylene®

Abstract

Background: Early post-operative pain after inguinal hernia repair delays management in ambulatory setting. The type of mesh used for repair appears to influence their incidence.

Aims: The aim of this randomized, prospective study using the alternation principle was to compare post-operative early pain and the quality of life of patients operated on for inguinal hernia depending on the type of mesh used and their impact on management in ambulatory setting.

Patients and methods: Fifty successive patients were included prospectively. Hernia repair was performed using the Lichtenstein procedure with two types of mesh, namely standard polypropylene 100 g/m² (Prolène®) or light polypropylene (55 g/m²) with a natural beta-D-glucan coating (Glucamesh®). The main assessment criterion was post-operative pain evaluated twice daily by the patient for 7 days, using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and their use of analgesics. The secondary assessment criteria were the rate of unscheduled admissions the evening of the intervention and the hospital length of stay and the quality of life evaluated by the SF12 questionnaire at pre-operative stage and on days 7 and 30.

Results: The two groups were comparable. The operative durations were identical (38.8±10.2 vs 48±15.4 min). On the evening of the intervention before discharge, the pain was less intense in the Glucamesh® group (mean VAS score 21.6±2.4 vs 31.7±6.2, p=0.02). On day 4, 20% of patients from the Glucamesh® group and none of the patients from the Prolène® group had a VAS score of 0 (p=0.02). There were no unscheduled admissions in either group, but the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Glucamesh® group compared with the Prolène® group (288±35 vs 360±48 min, p=0.02). The post-operative quality of life evaluated by the SF12 questionnaire from day 7 to day 30 was the same in both groups (38±4.8 vs 37±5.2) and altered as at pre-operative stage compared with a control population (normal=50).

Conclusions: This randomized, prospective study showed that the use of a self-adhesive, light mesh, reducing the fixation sutures and coated with factors favouring tissue integration, such as the Glucamesh® prosthesis, significantly reduced early post-operative pain compared with conventional prostheses and could increase the percentage of patients likely to undergo an ambulatory hernia repair.