BOTTOM LINE
Although laparoscopic repair is associated with a small reduction in pain and it gets your patient back to work a day sooner, it carries a greater risk of serious complications and recurrence. (LOE=1b)
Q&A
Open hernia repair better than laparoscopic
- CLINICAL QUESTION: Is an open or laparoscopic approach better for inguinal hernia repair?
- STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial (nonblinded)
- SETTING: Inpatient (any location) with outpatient follow-up
- SYNOPSIS: Open surgical repair of inguinal hernias involves use of a prosthetic mesh, the possibility of local anesthesia, and discharge often within a few hours of the procedure. A laparoscopic procedure has been introduced that requires general anesthesia, but claims to reduce postoperative pain and allow earlier return to usual activities. Which is better?