Impact of slit compared with nonslit mesh in laparoscopic groin hernia repairs-A comprehensive propensity score analysis of a cohort of 611 hernias.

Background: The slit-mesh technique for laparoscopic groin hernia repair remains controversial. We present the largest cohort of patients to date that have undergone laparoscopic hernia repair with this technique and aim to evaluate the impact of both techniques on postoperative recurrence and other secondary outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective, single-institution cohort study of patients who underwent a laparoscopic groin hernia repair over a 5.5-year period was performed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with recurrence, chronic pain, complications, length of stay, and operative time. A propensity score analysis also was performed. Time to recurrence was then subsequently plotted on a Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.

Results: In total, 611 laparoscopic groin hernia repairs (nonslit: n = 353; slit: n = 258) were reviewed. Mean follow-up duration was 6.6 months. On the multivariate analysis, body mass index was inversely correlated with recurrence (odds ratio, 0.792; 95% confidence interval, 0.656-0.956), whereas a slit mesh had lower recurrence (odds ratio, 0.228; 95% confidence interval, 0.064-0.809). In the propensity score-adjusted analysis, slit mesh remained significantly associated with reduced recurrence (adjusted odds ratio, 0.251; 95% confidence interval, 0.070-0.900), with no differences in chronic pain (adjusted odds ratio, 1.297; 95% confidence interval, 0.275-6.128) or postoperative complications (adjusted odds ratio, 1.808; 95% confidence interval, 0.429-7.620). Operative time also was reduced in the slit-mesh group (P = .009).

Conclusions: The slit-mesh technique was associated with a reduced likelihood of postoperative recurrence and shorter operative time, with no impact on postoperative chronic pain or complications. A lower body mass index was also correlated with increased likelihood of postoperative recurrence.