Use of Mosquito Net Mesh Versus Polypropylene Mesh in Tension-Free Repair of Inguinal Hernia: a 1-Year Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Commercially available polypropylene mesh is preferred in the developed countries during inguinal hernioplasty. Whereas, the mosquito net mesh is a safe and effective alternative in the developing countries such as India. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of mosquito net mesh as prosthesis in comparison with polypropylene mesh in inguinal hernia repair by Lichtenstein tension-free technique. A total of 60 patients presented with uncomplicated inguinal hernia were randomized into two groups: group A (mosquito net mesh) and group B (polypropylene mesh). Postoperatively, the Southampton scoring system was employed to assess the level of infection at the surgical site on days 3, 5, 7, and 10. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS 20.0. The data were compared using Fisher’s exact test, chi-square test, and independent sample t test. P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. All the patients were men and majority were in the age-group of 51–60 years. Right-sided inguinal hernia was reported in most (30) of the patients. The rate of surgical site infection on postoperative day 3 (P = 1.000), 5 (P = 0.704), 7 (P = 0.612), and 10 (P = 1.000) were comparable in both groups A and B. The baseline characteristics, clinical presentations, and assessment of surgical site infection in both groups were comparable. Therefore, mosquito net mesh, as prosthesis for inguinal hernia repair, is equally safe and efficacious as polypropylene mesh.