A single-surgeon, single-institute experience of 115 Lichtenstein hernia repairs under local anesthesia.

Background: Repair of an inguinal hernia is one of the most common operations performed in general surgery with significant costs to health care and society. Lichtenstein mesh repair has been the most widely performed groin hernia repair. In this study, we wanted to emphasize the effectiveness of local anesthesia in groin hernia repair by single-surgeon's experience.

Methods: One-hundred and fifteen inguinal hernia patients were reviewed between July 2005 and July 2007. 2% Prilocaine was injected for local anesthesia and Lichtenstein polypropylene mesh repair technique was performed. Pain was assessed after operation by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). All patients were controlled at postoperative first week, first month and end of first year.

Results: 113 (98.26%) of 115 patients were discharged at postoperative 8th hour. The other 2 patients (1.739%) were discharged at postoperative second day. They were followed up two days, because of seroma and pain, individually. Mean VAS score was 3.2 (2.7-4.0 95% CI). There was no statistically significant difference between groups, according to Nyhus classification, right/left inguinal hernia and gender.

Conclusion: Lichtenstein mesh repair under local anesthesia is an effective day case technique, particularly in the elderly and medically unfit patients. The economic benefits are enhanced by low morbidity and low recurrence rates (Ref. 5). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.