Comparison of postoperative outcomes between tissue glue and suture for mesh fixation in open tension-free inguinal hernia repair: a prospective analytical study

Abstract

Introduction: A hernia is an abnormal protrusion of the viscus through the normal or abnormal opening of its containing cavity. Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair is a commonly performed surgery for hernia. Various studies have revealed atraumatic fixation of the mesh produces less pain without compromising the outcomes. Methods: This is a prospective analytical study conducted in a tertiary hospital over a year. Eighty patients with primary inguinal hernia undergoing open mesh repair were enrolled and divided into two groups with 40 patients in each group. Mesh fixation was done with N-butyl 2 cyano-acrylate glue in one group, while polypropylene 2-0 suture in the other group. Postoperative pain, the number of dosages of analgesia required, the incidence of hematoma/seroma formation, surgical site infection, and length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25. Results: Visual analog scores were significantly reduced in the glue group at 12 h and 24 h (P<0.05) with a reduction of the mean number of analgesic doses from 6.42±0.984 in the suture group to 5.95±0.597 in the glue group (P<0.05). The operating time was significantly reduced from 70.03±4.376 minutes in the suture group to 58.43±4.540 min in the glue group (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay. Five percent of cases in the suture group developed seroma while no SSI was reported in this study. Conclusions: This study demonstrates mesh fixation with cyanoacrylate glue in open hernioplasty for primary groin hernias is associated with reduced immediate postoperative pain, dose of analgesia required, and operating time in comparison to fixation with suture.