Medical & Clinical Research

Author(s): Mohammed Nimir Makki, Zeid Alsadoon

Objective: To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic (LR) and open repair (OR) for inguinal hernias in terms of postoperative pain, complications, hospital stay, recurrence rates, and quality of life.
Methods: This single-center cohort study included 200 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair, with 100 patients in each group (LR and OR). The primary outcome was postoperative pain measured on a visual analog scale at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 1 week postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included early and late complications, hospital stay duration, recurrence rates at 1-year follow-up, and quality of life assessed using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire at 3 months postoperatively.
Results: Postoperative pain scores were significantly lower in the LR group compared to the OR group at all time points (p<0.001). Early complications occurred in 8% of the LR group and 18% of the OR group (p=0.03), while late complications did not differ significantly between the two groups (5% vs. 7%, p=0.49). The LR group had a significantly shorter hospital stay duration (1.5 ± 0.7 days vs. 2.8 ± 1.2 days, p<0.001) and a comparable recurrence rate at 1-year follow-up (4% vs. 5%, p=0.71). Quality of life, as assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire, was significantly better in the LR group at 3 months postoperatively.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias is associated with reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stays, and a lower risk of early complications compared to open repair, without compromising the durability of the repair. The improved quality of life in the LR group at 3 months postoperatively highlights the potential benefits of laparoscopic surgery in terms of patient satisfaction and faster return to normal activities.