Aim: To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic approach with open method in patients undergoing primary ventral hernia repair.

Study Design: Randomized control trial

Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Kuwait Teaching Hospital and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar during the period of January 2017 to December 2019.

Methods: One hundred and ninety patients of both genders with ages ≥18 years were included. All the patients were divided in to two groups, i.e’ Group A consists of 95 patients received open procedure and Group B with 95 patients received laparoscopic approach for primary ventral hernia repair. Outcomes in term of complications, hospital stay and recurrence rate were examined and compare the results between both groups. Data was analyzed by SPSS 23.0.

Results: There were 65 (68.4%) females and 30 (31.6%) males in Group A and in Group B 35 (36.8%) males and 60 (63.2%) females. Mean age of patients in Group A was 40.14±3.31 years and in Group B it was 42.94±8.55 years. In Group B hospital stay was shorter than Group A (3.11±1.20 days Vs 5.9±3.9 days). According to the wound infection we found significant difference between Group A and Group B (12.6% and 4.2%);[p-value <0.05]. In Group A 5.3% patients had developed wound dehiscence while in Group B none of patient found to have wound dehiscence (p-value <0.05). Recurrence rate was also high in Group A 7.4% vs 2.1% in Group B (p=<0.05).

Conclusion: It is concluded that laparoscopic repair of primary ventral hernia is safe and effective with lesser complications as compared to open method.

Keywords: Ventral Hernia, Laparoscopic, Open Procedure, Wound Infection, Wound Dehiscence, Recurrence.