Patient-centered outcomes following laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a systematic review of the current literature.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to systematically review patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) and assess quality of life, pain, functionality, and patient satisfaction.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane database search identified 880 relevant articles. After the limits were applied, 14 articles were accepted for review. The analysis included health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures including quality of life, pain, function, satisfaction, and mental and emotional well-being.

CONCLUSIONS: Fourteen studies were reviewed. Mean study size was 92.6 subjects (24 to 306) and mean defect size was 71.7 cm(2). LVHR improved the overall HRQoL in 6 of the 8 studies. Thirteen studies assessing pain demonstrated improved pain scores relative to preoperative levels and long-term follow up. LVHR was not associated with long-term pain. Functionality improved in 12 studies. Return to work ranged from 6 to 18 days postoperatively in 50% of studies and physical function scores improved in the remaining 50% of the studies. Patient satisfaction improved after LVHR in all studies assessing patient satisfaction. Fixation methods did not influence HRQoL. Laparoscopic repair was associated with improving mental and emotional well-being in 6 of the 7 studies.