A Randomized Trial of Low-Cost Mesh in Groin Hernia Repair

• BACKGROUND: The most effective method for repair of a groin hernia involves the use of a syn-thetic mesh, but this type of mesh is unaffordable for many patients in low- and middle-income countries. Sterilized mosquito meshes have been used as a lower-cost alternative but have not been rigorously studied.METHODS: We performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing low-cost mesh with commercial mesh (both lightweight) for the repair of a groin hernia in adult men in eastern Uganda who had primary, unilateral, reducible groin hernias. Surgery was performed by four qualified surgeons. The primary outcomes were hernia recurrence at 1 year and postoperative complications.RESULTS: A total of 302 patients were included in the study. The follow-up rate was 97.3% after 2 weeks and 95.6% after 1 year. Hernia recurred in 1 patient (0.7%) assigned to the low-cost mesh and in no patients assigned to the commercial mesh (abso-lute risk difference, 0.7 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.2 to 2.6; P = 1.0). Postoperative complications occurred in 44 patients (30.8%) assigned to the low-cost mesh and in 44 patients (29.7%) assigned to the commercial mesh (absolute risk difference, 1.0 percentage point; 95% CI, −9.5 to 11.6; P = 1.0).CONCLUSIONS: Rates of hernia recurrence and postoperative complications did not differ signifi-cantly between men undergoing hernia repair with low-cost mesh and those un-dergoing hernia repair with commercial mesh.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Surgery

kirurgi

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)