Comparison of Sublay Vs Onlay Mesh Hernioplasty in terms of operative time, complications and recurrence.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Sublay vs Onlay for ventral hernias in prevention of complications. Study Design: Comparative study. Setting: Government Teaching Hospital Shahdara, Lahore. Period: December 2021 to March 2023. Methods: After approval from ethical committee, total 110 patients of ventral hernias having defect size more than 2 cm were selected and divided equally into Sublay(S group) and Onlay (O group), 55 in each group. The sample size was determined by using WHO sample size calculator. Incisional and recurrent hernias were excluded. Age, sex, seroma, wound infection, operative time, length of stay and recurrence were recorded and analyzed by SPSS version 24 after taking consultation with statistician also. Results: Out of 110 patients, 93(84.5%) were female and 17(15.5%) were male. Age range was 25 years to 70 years. Mean age in S group was 46 years and 47years in O Group. Average operative time was 85 minutes in O Group and 123 minutes in S Group with minimum 45 mins in O group and 150 minutes (maximum) in S Group with p-value of 0.00 which was significant. Seroma was formed in 28 patients (25.5%) with 18 in O Group and 10 in S Group, with p-value insignificant. Infection, Length of stay and recurrence were also statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Both Sublay and Onlay mesh hernioplasty are associated with wound complications equally but operative time is remarkably less in Onlay mesh hernioplasty.