Comparative study of tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy versus Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy versus Bassini operation: a prospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE

Operations to cure inguinal hernia are among the most common surgical procedures. However, the most effective surgical technique for inguinal hernia repair is unknown, and the recurrence at 5 years varies between 1% and 10%. Surgical techniques and implanted materials are crucial to the result of and costs associated with hernia repair. The objective of this study was to determine whether the tailor-made mesh plug for inguinal hernia repair was as effective and safe as other methods of herniorrhaphy.

METHODS

Of 94 patients who had a primary diagnosis of inguinal hernia prospectively included in the study, 25 were treated with tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy, 26 with Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy and 36 with the Bassini operation. The primary outcome was the recurrence of hernia at 1 year, and secondary outcomes included surgical complications and hospital stay.

RESULTS

There was no postoperative mortality in this study. Three patients had recurrence after Bassini operation, but there was no recurrent hernia after Lichtenstein or mesh plug herniorrhaphy. Groin swelling and ecchymosis were found in two patients (1 tailor-made mesh plug, 1 Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy). No surgical site infection occurred. Mean operating time was 60 minutes (range, 45-75 minutes) for tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy, 82 minutes (range, 30-120 minutes) for Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy, and 82 minutes (range, 30-135 minutes) for the Bassini operation.

CONCLUSION

Tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy is a safe operation. The mesh plug material (Mersilene) was cheap. The recurrence rate was lower with tailor-made mesh plug herniorrhaphy than with the Bassini operation, but equal to that with Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy. Postoperative complications did not differ among all operations.