Study of Surgical Methods of Umbilical Hernia Repair in the Rural District of Chickballapur

Abstract

Background: Umbilical hernias are a frequent surgical issue, especially in rural areas. This study aims to assess the surgical techniques for umbilical hernia repair in the rural district of Chickballapur, Karnataka, India, and to compare the outcomes of open repair with primary sutures, open repair with mesh reinforcement, and laparoscopic repair.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 100 adult patients who underwent surgery for symptomatic umbilical hernias at s 1 -District hospital and 4 taluk hospitals in Chickballapur from January 2019 -January 2024. Data on the type of surgery, postoperative complications, recovery times, recurrence rates, and functional recovery were collected. Statistical comparisons were made to evaluate the outcomes of different surgical approaches.

Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study. Of these, 50% (n=50) underwent open repair with primary sutures, 30% (n=30) had open repair with mesh reinforcement, and 20% (n=20) received laparoscopic repair. Laparoscopic repair was associated with the lowest postoperative complication rate (3%), the shortest recovery time (mean 5 days), and the lowest hernia recurrence rate (2%). In comparison, open repair with mesh showed a recurrence rate of 6%, while primary suture repair had a higher recurrence rate of 10%. Socio-economic factors and resource availability influenced the choice of surgical method.Conclusion: Despite the prevalence of open repair techniques in this rural setting, laparoscopic repair yielded the best outcomes in terms of complications, recovery time, and hernia recurrence. This suggests that laparoscopic repair could be a beneficial option for rural areas with the necessary surgical expertise and equipment. Further research is recommended to explore the broader applicability and cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic repair in low-resource environments.