Lichtenstein procedure versus darn repair in primary inguinal hernia surgery

Abstract

Introduction With the advent of newer methods for inguinal hernia repair like laparoscopy and mesh, older techniques like darn repair have gone into the background. However, in developing countries like Egypt where cost-effectiveness is of prime concern, darn repair still enjoys a good reputation and popularity for the repair of inguinal hernia. This study was carried out to compare darn repair with Lichtenstein repair regarding early outcome. Patients and methods A total of 100 male patients aged from 20 to 60 years old who presented with primary inguinal hernia were operated upon with Lichtenstein or darn repair as elective procedure from January 2013 to October 2016. They were subjected to this prospective randomized-controlled trial. The primary endpoint was to compare the early outcome of these two procedures. Results The need for analgesia and hospital stay was higher in patients who had Lichtenstein repair. Hematoma occurred in one (1%) patient and seroma occurred in four (4%) patients in both groups. The prevalence of wound infections as superficial and deep infections in groups A and B was 4 and 4%, respectively, which were resolved through conservative management. Complications of recurrence in group A were 2% as compared with group B, which had a recurrence of 4%. This difference was not significant. Conclusion Both darn repair and Lichtenstein repair resulted in rapid recovery and low recurrence rates; however, the advantage of the darn repair lies in the fact that it does not require mesh, so it is much cost effective.

Keywords

• darn repair
• inguinal hernia
• lichtenstein procedure