CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research (Jan 2019)

Quality of life of patients with hernia and comparison after its repair

  • Farah Ahmed,
  • Muhammad Khizar Memon,
  • Sidra Memon,
  • Syed Ali Haider

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/cjhr.cjhr_45_17
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 2
pp. 108 – 111

Abstract

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Background: Hernia is quite common in Pakistan. Hernia repair techniques have been of various types and have improved over the period to achieve best repair with minimal complications. Hernia repair technique such as the laparoscopic hernia repair is widely used in Pakistan and has superiority over open surgery due to short hospital stay, better cosmetic results, less postoperative pain, and less chance of wound infection. The quality of life of patients postoperatively, has thus been improving now. Methodology: The investigators interviewed the participants themselves. A total of 56 male patients aged 33.5 ± 10 years who had undergone hernia repair surgeries preoperatively and 3 months after surgery agreed to participate in the study. The questionnaire to evaluate patients' preoperatively and postoperatively had 13 questions regarding the effect of abdominal pain due to hernia on daily activities, religious activities, and impact on their health and mood. Likert scale was used to assess the difference in the quality of life of the patients and SPSS version 24 was used to analyze the data. Results: Response rate was 93.33% and the mean age is 33.5 ± 10 years. It was found out that the quality of life of patients improved after surgery so significantly that around 64.48% of people who had stopped doing work-related tasks before surgery due to hernia were then able to carry out work related tasks (87.03%). The quantity of patients with abdominal pain also decreased from 83.3% to 33.32%. Overall, the mood of the patients remained better to such an extent that before surgery, only 25.91% people could carry out daily tasks with minimal irritation but after surgery, 92.59% people started feeling better than before. Conclusion: Abdominal wall surgeries have improved the quality of life of the patients. Thus, the patients should be counseled to get their abdominal wall hernia corrected as soon as possible to lead a good quality and healthy life. Newer advanced techniques have emerged which has led to fewer complications and short hospital stay.

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