Comparing Open and Laparoscopic Surgery for Hernia Repair

In the INCH-trial, researchers conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing open and laparoscopic surgery for incisional hernia repair. They initially believed laparoscopic surgery would offer advantages, but after studying 88 patients, found no significant differences in hospital stay, quality of life, or recurrence rates. Dissatisfaction was higher in the open surgery group. These results suggest that individualized surgical management and patient expectation management are crucial in hernia repair, despite the global popularity of laparoscopic techniques.