A Comparative study on various approaches in the surgical management of ventral hernia

INTRODUCTION: Despite more than 200000 surgeries that is being performed every year for ventral hernias, there is no concrete evidence in the literature as to the indications for repair, the ideal approach, or the appropriate long-term outcome to determine success rates. With the different causes of ventral hernias, wide differences in defect sizes and locations and the associated medical comorbidities of every patient, it is not likely that a single approach to various ventral hernia repairs will ever be identified. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study and compare the various approach in the surgical management of ventral hernia namely onlay, sublay and laparoscopic intraperitoneal mesh repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 60 patients presenting to Rajiv Gandhi Govt General Hospital between May 2015 to October 2015 and falling into selection criteria was randomized into three groups, one undergoing onlay mesh placement and other undergoing sublay placement of mesh and other undergoing intraperitoneal placement of mesh in ventral hernia surgery with equal number of patients in each group.All 3 groups were observed post operatively for day of ambulation, postoperative pain, seroma, wound infection, duration of hospital stay and followed up for return to work. RESULTS: In aspects of patient comfort and postoperative complications, laparoscopy is better than open methods. However it is associated with increased cost. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia is better when compared to open methods of repair