OBJECTIVE:To find out the incidence of ventral hernias and to compare the outcomes and post–operative complications of open versus laparoscopic mesh repair.

METHODS:This was a hospital based prospective study done over 50 patients

RESULTS:Out of 50 patient’s incisional hernia are more common ventral hernia and it is more common among females and male to female ratio of 1:3. By aetiology post–surgical cause was found to be the most common cause, among them post caesarean section followed by abdominal hysterectomy are leading causes of incisional hernias.Regarding age group ventral hernias are more common among the third and fourth decade of life. In clinical presentation all cases of ventral hernias presented with bulge and followed byabdominal pain and discomfort. The patients of ventral hernias are managedeither by open mesh repair or laparoscopic mesh repair. Open mesh repair showed increased rates of post–operative pain,wound infection and duration of hospital stay whereas in laparoscopic repair there is less post–operative pain,less wound infection and mesh infection rates, less duration of hospital stays.These studies confirm that laparoscopic repair is found to be safe and effective in the management of ventral hernias.

CONCLUSION

Open mesh repair of ventral hernias is a good surgical option in management of ventral hernias.But comparatively laparoscopic repair produces less complications and low recurrence rates,with decreased rates of morbidityand it is better in terms of complications and duration of hospital stay.