ISSN No. 2079-8547 (Recognized by PMDC)
LICHTENSTEIN REPAIR OF INGUINAL HERNIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the commonest procedures performed by surgeons. Lichtenstein hernioplasty
is a tension-free mesh repair of inguinal hernia. The objective of this study was to share our experience of open
tension free repair of inguinal hernia using Polypropylene mesh.
Material and Methods: This descriptive study was carried out at Surgical unit of Naseer Teaching Hospital, Gandhara
Medical University, Peshawar, during the period from 1st February 2011 to 31st October 2013. Informed consent was
taken from all the patients before including them in the study. The study excluded patients with obstructed or strangulated
inguinal hernia, ASA class III and above and patients unwilling to participate in the study. Patients were followed
up to 12 months. Important variables were patients’ demographics, outcome of surgery, complications of surgery and
postoperative pain. Postoperative pain was assessed on Visual Analogue Scale. The data was collected on a preformed
proforma and analyzed on SPSS version 21.
Result: The study included 220 patients. Mean age was 53 years (18-75 years). Hernia was indirect in 57.73%and direct
in 42.27%. Superficial surgical site infection occurred in two cases (0.91%), both patients responded to conservative
measures. Seroma developed in 5 patients (2.27%). Postoperative pain was mild (< 50mm) in 68.18% (n=150), moderate
(≥ 50mm ≤ 69mm) in 23.18% (n=51) and severe (≥ 70mm) in 8.64% (n=19). Chronic groin pain occured in 5
cases (2.27%). Recurrence was noted in two cases. Mean length of hospital stay was 2 days.
Conclusion: Open mesh repair of inguinal hernia is a safe technique with low risk of postoperative complications.
Key Words: Inguinal hernia, herniorrhaphy, Lichtenstein technique, mesh.