Long-term quality of life and functionality after ventral hernia mesh repair

The absence of recurrence and pain are important for good quality of life (QoL) after ventral hernia mesh repair. We wanted to study long-term outcome after laparoscopic (LVHR) and open ventral hernia mesh repair (OVHR) using validated scales to measure QoL and functional outcome. We conducted a single-center follow-up study of 194 consecutive patients after LVHR and OVHR between March 2000 and June 2010. Of these, 27 patients (13.9 %) died and 14 (7.2 %) failed to attend their follow-up appointment. Of 153 (78.9 %) patients who attended, 81 (52.9 %) patients had LVHR and 72 (47.1 %) patients had OVHR, including 11 conversions (surgery group). One hundred and twelve patients with non-recurrent ventral hernia were also enrolled consecutively as controls (non-surgery group). Quality of life was measured by the SF-36 short form questionnaire and functional outcome by the Activities Assessment Scale (AAS) with the revised Life Orientation Test to measure the influence of dispositional optimism on pain and functionality. Assessment of pain was done using a 100-mm visual analogue scale ruler anchored by word descriptors. Median time from hernia mesh repair to follow-up was 48 and 52 months after LVHR and OVHR, respectively. There were no long-term differences between LVHR and OVHR measured by SF-36 and AAS. Physical dimensions in SF-36: physical function, restrictions in physical function and bodily pain, were significantly better in the surgery group compared to the non-surgery group, but only for incisional hernia. Recurrence was associated with a significant reduction in QoL in all dimensions of SF-36 in both hernia repair cohorts. Chronic pain and impairment were closely related. Optimistic patients had less impairment than pessimistic patients. LVHR and OVHR reduce chronic pain and physical impairment and improve long-term QoL. Hernia recurrence and persistent pain reduce the beneficial effect of hernia surgery. Dispositional optimism can modulate QoL reporting and improve functionality.