Laparoscopic Umbilical Hernia repair in male patients with abdominal obesity

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a global health problem, and obese patients are subject to developing abdominal wall hernias. There are few prospective studies comparing the laparoscopic method of umbilical hernia mesh repair between abdominal obesity patients and normal abdominal waist patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcomes (operative time, early complications and hospital stay) in the patients having laparoscopic hernia repair with abdominal obesity. METHODS: This prospective cohort study was conducted at King Fahad Hospital Hofuf, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from June 2014 to June 2021. Fifty four (54) adult male patients with umbilical hernia were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: Group-A: Patients with abdominal obesity (n=26), and Group-B: Patients without abdominal obesity (n=28). All the patients underwent laparoscopic repair of umbilical hernia. The patients with abdominal obesity were defined as those having an abdominal girth more than 102 centimeters. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed as related to age, co-morbidity and risk factors between the two groups. The statistically significant difference between the two groups observed was related to the mean operative time and the mean hospital stay. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic umbilical hernia repair can be safely performed in abdominal obesity in male patients without an additional risk of complications.