Open Versus Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair to Reduce Complications in Adult Obese Population

Abstract Objectives Inguinal hernia repairs are one of the most common surgical procedures in the United States. Surgeons have a choice between laparoscopic or open inguinal hernia repair. With the increase of obesity, it raises a question of how increases in body mass index (BMI) will affect surgeons’ decisions to perform an open or laparoscopic repair. This study aims to determine if there is a significant difference in operative complications between open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in patients diagnosed with obesity. Methods A systematic review of journal articles was performed to collect and analyze data on post-operative complications, morbidity, operating times, and associated costs for patients and their families when comparing methods of inguinal hernia repairs. Results The literature revealed several complications with either open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, however the only finding that was statistically significant when comparing patients with overweight BMIs to patients with a normal BMI measurement was increased deep surgical site infections associated with open inguinal hernia repairs. Overall morbidity across all BMIs is greater in open inguinal repairs verses laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs. Conclusion In terms of surgical complications, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair carries less risk to the patient compared to the open technique. No significant difference is found in complications between open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair specifically when comparing patients with obesity and patients with normal BMIs. With the obesity epidemic and surgical learning curve associated with laparoscopic techniques it is important to continue research on the most appropriate surgical method