Comparative evaluation of sublay versus onlay mesh repair for ventral hernia

Objective: To compare sublay and onlay techniques of ventral hernia repair in terms of postoperative drain removal time and wound infection. Methods: This randomised controlled study was conducted from June to December 2016 at Jinnah Medical and Dental College Hospital, Karachi, and comprised hernia patients who were divided into two equal groups A and B. The former were subjected to onlay technique while the latter underwent sublay technique. Operative repair was performed at least 1 year after the index surgery, as this time was required for scar maturation. Data was analysed using SPSS 23, and mean drain removal time between the groups was compared. Results: There were 100 patients, with 50(50%) in each of the two groups. Mean age of patients in group A was 40.30±4.52 years while in group B, it was 39.12±4.58 years. The mean drain removal time in group A was 4.40±1.53 days and in group B it was 3.06±0.23 days (p=0.01).The difference in terms of wound infection was also significant (p=0.04). Conclusion: Sublay hernia repair was found to be a good alternative to onlay repair for treatment of ventral hernia.