The comparison of self-gripping mesh and sutured mesh in open inguinal hernia repair: the results of meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the postoperative chronic pain and other postoperative complications after the use of the self-gripping Progrip meshes and the application of conventional suture-fixed Lichtenstein procedure.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair is a complex problem. Many efforts have been put to reduce the postoperative chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair, and the results are conflicting.

METHODS: A systematic literature review was undertaken to identify studies comparing the outcomes of open inguinal hernia repair with self-gripping Progrip meshes and the conventional Lichtenstein technique.

RESULTS: The present meta-analysis pooled the effects of outcomes of total 1353 patients enrolled into 5 randomized controlled trials and 2 prospective comparative studies. Statistically, there was no difference in the incidence of chronic pain [odds ratio = 0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.51-1.08)]. And there was no statistical difference in the incidence of acute postoperative pain [odds ratio = 1.32, 95% CI (0.68-2.55)], hematoma or seroma [odds ratio = 0.89, 95% CI (0. 56-1.41)], wound infection [risk difference = -0.01, 95% CI (-0.02 to 0.01)], and recurrence [risk difference = 0.00, 95% CI (-0.01 to 0.01)]. The self-gripping mesh group was associated with a shorter operating time (1-9 minutes).

CONCLUSIONS: When the self-gripping mesh compared with the conventional suture fixed Lichtenstein technique, while there was a difference in operative time, there were no differences in pain (chronic or acute) or other complications.