Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Open Preperitoneal Mesh, Retromuscular Mesh and Suture Repair for Abdominal Wall Hernias Less Than 3 cm Diameter

Many techniques of ventral hernias repair have been reported. It is shown that open mesh hernia repairs have low recurrence and low complication rates then suture repair. But for hernias less than 3 cm some surgeons defend the treatment by suture. The main variable of interest is the location of mesh placement compared to suture repair. The investigator will compare in a prospective randomized clinical trial three techniques of abdominal wall hernia repair: preperitoneal polyester mesh, retromuscular polyester mesh and suture for hernias less than 3 cm. All patients underwent general anesthesia. The investigators used Polyester-based mesh because it has shown minimal shrinkage and excellent tissue ingrowth in animal models. Operative notes were physician-abstracted and the presence, type, and location of mesh prosthesis was recorded. Independent variables of interest were patient-level demographics (age and sex), facility where hernia repair occurred, year of hernia repair, preoperative comorbid conditions, history of prior repair, and intraoperative variables. The results compared postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (range, 0-10) on the day of the first outpatient visit, operating time evaluated as skin-to-skin time, drain management and both of early and late complications including seroma and hematoma formation, wound infection, fistula formation and recurrence rates.