Assessment of Quality of Life After Ventral Hernia Repair: A Prospective Observational Study at a Tertiary Care Centre

Background Ventral hernias are usually repaired by an open or laparoscopic approach. Quality of life after ventral hernia repair is a very important but often underestimated parameter. This prospective observational study was conducted to assess the quality of life and other related parameters after all types of ventral hernia repair, mainly between open and laparoscopic repairs. Objectives This study aimed to determine the quality of life after ventral hernia repairs. We also analysed and compared various parameters such as outcomes and satisfaction, postoperative pain, and complications between laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repair. Methods This was a hospital-based prospective observational study conducted from January 2020 to December 2021, which included a total of 70 patients with ventral hernias. Thirty-nine patients underwent open repair and 31 patients underwent laparoscopic repair. Demographic data and other data such as postoperative hospital stay, return to activity, postoperative pain, complications, and quality of life were collected and analysed. Results The distribution of different types of hernias observed in our study included 34% incisional hernias, 33% umbilical and paraumbilical hernias, and 33% epigastric hernias. The incidence of complications was significantly less in laparoscopic repair compared to open repair. Also, satisfaction at 1 month was significantly more in the laparoscopic group compared to the open group. However, there is no significant difference in the postoperative pain, postoperative hospital stay, return to activity, satisfaction at discharge, and quality of life at 1 month in both the laparoscopic and open repairs. Conclusion Laparoscopic ventral hernia repairs are associated with lesser complications and higher satisfaction. The use of tackers and trans-fascial sutures can significantly increase postoperative pain in laparoscopic repair and is the major factor affecting the short-term quality of life in laparoscopic repairs. As there is no difference in postoperative pain, hospital stay, and return to activity, laparoscopic repairs should be preferred wherever possible in view of fewer complications and higher satisfaction.