[Anterior approach and simultaneous tension-free repair of bilateral inguinal hernia under local anesthesia].

An analysis of prospectively collected data of 56 patients submitted to bilateral hernia repair is reported. Simultaneous repair was performed in 32 patients (Group S) while a sequential repair in 24 (Group D). Mean operating time was longer for the combination of two sequential repairs than for simultaneous repair (132 min +/- 8.9 vs 123 min +/- 11, p < 0.001). Mean hospital stay was similar in unilateral and bilateral repairs (18.0 hrs +/- 4 vs 21.2 hrs +/- 3.4, p = ns). Ther were no difference in complications between the two groups. Time taken to return to full activity was nearly double in the combination of two sequential repairs than in simultaneous repair (25 days, sd +/- 4 vs 16 days +/- 3, p < 0.001), while postoperative analgesia requirements were similar. The Authors conclude that bilateral simultaneous anterior tension free repair under local anesthesia is the treatment of choice in case of bilateral inguinal hernias.