Equal patient satisfaction, quality of life and objective recurrence rate after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with and without mesh.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair has become standard practice for most surgeons performing antireflux surgery. Hiatal hernia repair consists of cruroplasty with sutures only or additional reinforcement using mesh. Use of mesh was initiated to reduce recurrence rates. Recent analyses show that use of mesh may influence radiologic recurrence rates, but it does not seem to prevent symptomatic recurrences and the need for reoperation. This study compares clinical and radiologic outcomes of primary cruroplasty and cruroplasty with non-absorbable mesh after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively followed cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic correction of hiatal hernia type II-IV in two tertiary referral centers was carried out. Radiologic recurrence, symptomatic recurrence, reoperation rate, complications and patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed for all patients.

RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were analyzed after laparoscopic hiatal hernia correction with an additional fundoplication [127 (67.2%) primary correction, 62 (32.8%) with mesh reinforcement]. After a mean follow-up of 39.3 months, the overall radiologic recurrence rate was 24.3%, which was equal in both groups [25.8% (mesh) vs 23.6% (no mesh), P = 0.331]. Symptomatic recurrence rate was 13.2% (16.1 vs 11.8%, P = 0.495) and reoperation rate 7.4% (9.7 vs 6.3%), which was comparable between the two groups. Complication rates were equal, and no serious mesh-related complications were reported. Health-related quality of life improved after surgery, dysphagia decreased and patient satisfaction was high for both groups without significant differences.

CONCLUSION: Radiologic recurrences, symptomatic recurrences and reoperation rates are equal after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with or without non-absorbable mesh reinforcement, irrespective of hernia size and type. Quality of life, dysphagia and patient satisfaction were comparable. No serious mesh-related complications occurred. The results of this study do not support the routine use of mesh in hiatal hernia repair.