Rehana Raza, Zahra Raza, Fatima Batool, Manal Muzammil, Ahmad Bilal, Almas Kiran.
Comparison of Light weight and Heavy weight Prosthetic Mesh for Lichtenstein Repair of Inguinal Hernia.
J Sharif Med Dent Coll Jan ;9(2):62-6.

Objective: To compare outcomes of lightweight mesh (LWM) versus heavyweight mesh (HWM) in inguinal hernia repair. Methodology: It was a quasi-experimental study done at the General Surgery Department of Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital, Islamabad after ethical approval. One hundred and fifty six patients were enrolled using convenience sampling technique. Informed written consent was taken from the patients and they were divided into two groups, I and II. All patients had a Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair. Patients in group I received HWM, whereas, those in group II received LWM. Then patients were followed-up on 1st day, 2nd week, 1st, 3rd, and 6th month post-surgery. Results: Patients with LWM had significantly shorter operative and mesh fixation times than those with HWM. The postoperative pain and time to return to routine activity were also statistically reduced in patients with LWM (p-value <0.001). The mean hospital stay was not significantly different between the HWM and LWM groups (p-value=0.67). The postoperative complications were not linked to the mesh type except for foreign body sensation (p-value=0.02). Conclusion: In the Lichtenstein method of inguinal hernia repair, the use of the lightweight mesh is better than the heavyweight mesh. It is associated with shorter operating time, less postoperative pain & foreign body sensation, and early recovery of the patients. Keywords: Inguinal hernia. Surgical mesh. Postoperative pain.

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