Oc-070 evaluation of patients’ quality of life after open repair of inguinal hernias based on the weight of the meshes

Abstract Aim The aim of this retrospective observational study with prospective follow-up is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patients’ Quality of Life (QoL) after open repair of inguinal hernias using different meshes (48, 127 or 177–220 g/m2, pre-shaped meshes)(1). Materials and Methods 382 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair (Lichtenstein, Trabucco or Plug & Patch) from 2017 to 2018 were included in this analysis. All the patients’ baseline characteristics, peri- and post-operative outcomes were collected from the hospital medical records. A phone interview investigating long-term outcomes and patients’ QoL (EuraHS-QoL) was performed between December 2022 and January 2023. The primary endpoint of this study was the evaluation of patients’ QoL in three meshes’ subgroups: lightweight (nA=69), standard-weight (nB=143) and heavyweight (nC=170). Results The three subgroups didn't show significant differences in main baseline characteristics. Patients’ QoL improvement compared to the baseline was statistically significant in all three groups. In addition, all the post-operative QoL scores were significantly worse in group C. No differences in complications rate and recurrence rate were detected among the three groups. On the other hand, the surgical techniques did not affect the outcomes (recurrency and QoL). Conclusion This analysis performed at our center did not show any significant differences in outcomes between meshes of different weights except for the patients’ QoL which proved to be better in patients with light and standard-weight meshes. Based on our experience the surgical techniques could be chosen depending on the surgeons’ preferences. References: 1.Dipromed Srl