Umbilical hernia repair with the prolene hernia system.

BACKGROUND: Despite its extensive application for the repair of inguinal hernias, the use of the Prolene Hernia System (PHS; Ethicon, West Somerville, NJ) for the repair of umbilical hernias has been sparse. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess, in comparison with currently available techniques, the effectiveness of the PHS in repairing umbilical hernias.

METHODS: Fifty consecutive patients diagnosed with a primary umbilical hernia were enrolled for the study. They were randomized and underwent elective repair of umbilical hernia using either the PHS (n = 17), Mayo repair (n = 18), or onlay repair with mesh (n = 15). Data for the time required for the surgical repair method, length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, analgesic necessity, and return to work, and early and late complications were recorded, and compared with respect to the repair procedure.

RESULTS: The mean operating time and the mean length of hospital stay were the longest in the onlay repair with mesh group (P < .05). Those patients operated on using the PHS described minimum pain on the postoperative first , second, and seventh days (P < .05) and also the necessity of analgesic was significantly lower in this group (P < .05). There were 2 recurrences in Mayo repair group. The mean follow-up duration was 22 months (range 6 to 44 months).

CONCLUSION: The PHS seemed to be useful for umbilical hernia repairs in selected patients as it caused minimal postoperative pain and less analgesic necessity.