What do systematic reviews say?

Summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair vs non‐mesh repair

It is very uncertain whether summary of findings table ‐ mesh repair changes clinical recurrence or reoperation for recurrence within one year of… compared with non‐mesh repair (very low certainty).

• Mesh versus non‐mesh for emergency groin hernia repair 2023 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.19 [0.04, 1.03]
  2 studies · 104 participants
  Very low

Nonabsorbable tacks vs fibrin sealant

It is very uncertain whether nonabsorbable tacks changes recurrence (1 year) compared with fibrin sealant (very low certainty).

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  2 studies · 88 participants
  Very low

Absorbable tacks vs fibrin sealant

Absorbable tacks showed no clear difference in recurrence (1 year) compared with fibrin sealant (low certainty).

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 3 [0.13, 70.3]
  1 study · 50 participants
  Low

Absorbable tacks vs absorbable sutures

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 48 participants
  Very low

Nonabsorbable tacks plus nonabsorbable sutures vs nonabsorbable sutures

It is very uncertain whether nonabsorbable tacks plus nonabsorbable sutures changes recurrence (2 years) compared with nonabsorbable sutures (very low certainty).

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 4.82 [0.24, 98.03]
  1 study · 106 participants
  Very low

Absorbable tacks plus absorbable sutures vs nonabsorbable tacks plus nonabsorbable sutures

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 77 participants
  Very low

Nonabsorbable tacks vs nonabsorbable tacks plus nonabsorbable sutures

It is very uncertain whether nonabsorbable tacks changes recurrence (2 years) compared with nonabsorbable tacks plus nonabsorbable sutures (very low certainty).

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.33 [0.04, 2.82]
  1 study · 63 participants
  Very low

Absorbable tacks vs nonabsorbable tacks only

It is very uncertain whether absorbable tacks changes recurrence (1 year to 31 (median) months) compared with nonabsorbable tacks (very low certainty).

• Mesh fixation techniques in primary ventral or incisional hernia repair 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.74 [0.17, 3.22]
  2 studies · 101 participants
  Very low