Publication:

A comparative study of inguinal hernia using monofilament non-absorbable suture versus monofilament absorbable suture in Lichtenstein tension free hernia repair at tertiary care government hospital

Background The surgical treatment of inguinal hernias has evolved through several stage, history of groin hernia is the history of surgery itself. But, chronic pain is still a major irritating post-operative complain of the patient. The objective of the present study was to compare post-operative outcomes of mesh fixation with monofilament non-absorbable v/s monofilament absorbable suture material in terms of postoperative pain, chronic groin pain, seroma formation, wound infection, scrotal oedema and recurrence in Lichtenstein hernioplasty.

Methods This is a single center, prospective randomized controlled study of 152 cases of inguinal hernia comparing post-operative outcomes of mesh fixation with monofilament non-absorbable v/s monofilament absorbable suture material in Lichtenstein hernioplasty at Baroda Medical College and S.S.G. Hospital, between 1st November 2017 to 30th November 2018.

Results Total 152 patients of unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia were studied 76 in each group. Chronic groin pain mean visual analogue scale score at 3 months was higher in group with non-absorbable suture compared to monofilament absorbable group (1.3±0.9 v/s 0.95±0.8 p value <0.05).

Conclusions Monofilament absorbable suture is associated with less chronic groin pain and compared to monofilament non-absorbable sutures.