STUDY OF LONG-TERM OUTCOMES OF ONLAY VS SUBLAY MESH REPAIR FOR PARA-UMBILICAL HERNIAS

Abstract

Objectives: To perform the comparison of long-term outcomes of para-umbilical hernia patients managed surgically through onlay versus sublay mesh repair.

Study Design: Comparative cohort study.

Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Abbottabad from September 2024 to Feburary 2025.

Methodology: A total of 56 patients who underwent mesh repair of para-umbilical hernia three months prior to inclusion in the study were divided into Group-O (Onlay) and Group-S (Sublay) based on type of mesh repair technique. Intergroup comparative analysis of long-term outcomes (recurrence, chronic pain at operative site and patient satisfaction status) was done using Chi-square test.

Results: A total of 56 patients were included who were divided into two groups. Median age of patients with paraumbilical hernia was 39.50 (22.75) years. There were 27 (48.20%) male and 29 (51.80%) female patients. Median BMI was 33.54 (4.77) kg/m2. Median hernia size was 5.44 (2.59) cm. At 06-months follow-up visit, frequency of recurrence and chronic pain at operative side was 1 (1.80%) and 3 (5.40%), respectively. Regarding satisfaction status, 52 (92.90%) patients were satisfied with their surgical outcome while 4 (7.10%) were not satisfied. There was no statistically significant difference based on any of the long-term outcomes including recurrence (p = 0.313), chronic pain at operative site (p = 0.553) and patient satisfaction level (p = 0.299).

Conclusion: Both the techniques of para-umbilical mesh repair provide comparable long-term outcomes without any statistically significant difference.