Background: Incisional hernia (IH) can be treated with an intraperitoneal on-lay mesh (IPOM). This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes, recurrence rates, and chronic pain after laparoscopic IH repair.
Method: The data of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic IPOM repair between March 2018 and May 2021 were prospectively collected.
Results: The standard IPOM technique was used on 41 patients (82%), whereas the IPOM-plus technique was used on nine patients (18%). There was a history of IH repair for 12 patients (24%), and two of them recurrent hernias. The average body mass index was 24.7, and the average defect size was 17.6 cm2 . The mean operative time was 145.7 minutes, and the mean hospital stay was 3.5 days. There were minor complications in nine patients (18%), a case of bowel injury (2%), and a case of bladder injury (2%). Recurrent hernias were observed in three patients (6%) over a mean follow-up period of 17.9 months (4-36 months). One patient had postoperative chronic pain lasting 3 months. The width and size of the hernia were risk factors for recurrence.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic IPOM repair was a safe and effective method of treating IH, with a low incidence of postoperative complications, chronic pain, and recurrence.
Keywords: incisional hernia; laparoscopy; long-term result.
© 2022 Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Japan Society of Endoscopic Surgery and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.