Postoperative Results and Quality of Life After Inguinal Hernia Repair. Comparative Between Open and Laparoscopic Repair of 466 Inguinal Hernias

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is compare the postoperative results of open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Material and Methods Retrospective cohorts from a prospective database of inguinal hernia repair between December 2016–December 2021. The variables analyzed are: demographic data, intraoperative and postoperative, quality of life evaluated with EVA, Carolina Comfort Scale (CCS), postoperative complications and recurrence. Results 466 patients were included (85.4% man). 212 cases (45.5%) were open and 254 (54.5%) laparoscopic. The average follow up is 13 months (11–26). The laparoscopic treatments were trans abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP). There were no differences in complications (p = 0,763), Clavien-Dindo classification (p = 0,106), seroma (p = 0,155), hematoma (p = 0,152), wound infection (p = 0,463), recurrence (p = 0,290). According to quality of life at 1 month follow up there were significant differences CCS = 0 (39,1% laparoscopic vs. 11,8% open, p = 0,038), no significant differences at 6 month and 1 year follow up. The EVA scale alt 6 month follow up were less in laparoscopic but no significant (p=0,085 & p = 0,063). At 1 year the laparoscopic approach had better pain control (EVA p = 0,016 i EVA = 0 p = 0,018). Conclusions According to this study in our center, laparoscopic and open approach have comparable results in postoperative complications at 30 days and no differences in recurrence. The laparoscopic treatment have better quality of life at 1 month follow up and this trend remains at one year follow up with no significance.