THE EFFECT OF MESH TYPE (ULTRAPRO VERSUS PROLENE) ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AND WELL-BEING FOLLOWING TOTALLY EXTRAPERITONEAL (TEP) LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

In this trial a lightweight mesh (Ultrapro) will be compared with a standard heavyweight mesh (Prolene) on chronic postoperative pain and quality of life after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

To assess the outcomes of endoscopic hernia repair (TEP) after implantation of a lightweight mesh (Ultrapro) versus a heavyweight mesh (Prolene). The hypothesis is that an endoscopic hernia repair with implantation of a lightweight mesh results in less chronic postoperative pain than endoscopic repair with implantion of a heavyweight (standard Prolene) mesh.

Screening/Baseline, day 1, 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months, 1 year, 2 year, 3 year after surgery.

Arm 1 (intervention group): lightweight mesh (Ultrapro):
50% of participants will be randomized to receive this mesh.
Mesh characteristics are:

1. Structure: Multifilament with large pores (3-4 mm);

2. Polymer fiber: Polypropylene (PP) + Monocryl component (Poliglecapron);

3. Weight: 28 g/m2 (part of polypropylene which is not absorbed).

The monocryl part (polyglecapron) is absorbed in 90-120 days due to hydrolysis; a lightweight mesh with a pore size of 3-4 mm is what remains.



Arm 2 (Control group): heavyweight mesh (Prolene):
The heavyweight mesh Prolene® is the standard used at a TEP hernia repair in the Hernia Centre Zeist (Dutch: Liesbreukcentrum Zeist). 50% of participants will be randomized to receive this mesh.
Mesh characteristics are:

1. Structure: monofilament with small pores;

2. Polymer fiber: Polypropyleen;

3. Weight: 80-85 g/m2.