A Study on Outcomes of Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh

Background:

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) has gained popularity because of its minimally invasive nature, reduced postoperative pain, quicker recovery, and high patient satisfaction. However, surgical outcomes vary according to patient selection, institutional setting, and operative technique. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh.

Materials and Methods:

This observational study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital (AMCGH), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to March 2024. A total of 45 adult patients diagnosed with unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernias who were treated with laparoscopic repair were included. Data were extracted from the medical records, operative notes, and follow-up files. The analyzed variables included demographic characteristics, operative time, hospital stay, postoperative recovery, complications, and patient satisfaction. Statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 25.0, with results presented as mean, standard deviation, frequencies, and percentages.

Results:

The mean age was 51.2 ± 13.5 years, with 88.89% being male. Indirect inguinal hernias were slightly more common (53.33%) than direct hernias (46.67%). The mean operative time was 47.5 ± 12.3 minutes. Hospital stays averaged 1.5 ± 0.6 days, and return to regular activity occurred in 8.2 ± 2.1 days. On the first postoperative day, the average pain score was 3.2 ± 1.1 on the visual analog scale (VAS). Postoperative complications were observed in six patients, including seroma (4.44%), hematoma (2.22%), urinary retention (2.22%), and chronic pain lasting more than three months (4.44%). No surgical site infections were reported. Only one case of hernia recurrence was noted (2.22%). Patient satisfaction was high, with 86.67% expressing a positive surgical experience.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair at a tertiary institution showed good surgical results, low rates of complications and recurrence, and high patient satisfaction, supporting its safety and effectiveness in standard clinical practice.