Publication:

A randomized controlled study of transinguinal pre peritoneal repair vs Lichtenstein repair for inguinal hernia

Background Inguinal hernia repairs are one of most common surgeries performed world-wide. Inguinal hernias are present in 1.7% of the world population.

Methods Total of 100 patients was included in this study with 50 patients in each group. Group I (n=50): patients in this group underwent hernia repair using open preperitoneal mesh procedure. Group II (n=50): patients in this group underwent hernia repair using Lichtenstein procedure.

Results The proportion of patients with left inguinal hernia was higher in group I (48.00%) as compared to group II (46.00%), but this difference was not statistically significant. In overall study population (81.25%) as well as in group I (82.50%) and group II (80.00%) of the study, no history of straining was observed in the majority of the cases. Though the proportion of straining was higher in group I (32.00%) as compared to group II (26.00%), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.775). Chronic pain (see Table 4) was found in 28.75% of total patients, though the chronic pain was found in higher proportion of patients of group II (32.0%) as compared to group I (22.0%).

Conclusions In conclusion, this study shows that the TPT provides significant advantages over the Lichtenstein technique in case of repair of unilateral inguinal hernias. Patients in TPT group had less incidence of wound induration and chronic groin pain. They were also able to return to their jobs earlier.