Post#1 »
For those interested there was a new trial on exactly this in the BMJ last week by Wellwood et al.
Key messages
In the 4 hours after surgery laparoscopic hernia repair with general
anaesthesia causes more pain than open repair with local anaesthesia
(mainly because of the anaesthesia used) and necessitates longer stay in
hospital. Laparoscopic hernia repair, however, causes less pain than
open hernia repair during the first 2 weeks after discharge
Laparoscopic hernia repair results in fewer episodes of wound infection,
persistent local pain, genital swelling, numbness, and constipation than
open repair. Urinary disturbances are more common after laparoscopic
than after open repair
Patients' perception of health 1 month after the operation (assessed
with the SF-36) and satisfaction with treatment is superior for
laparoscopic patients who also have a shorter period of convalescence
after surgery
The health service cost of day case laparoscopic repair is $335 more
than the cost of open mesh hernioplasty performed on a day case basis