Outcome of Lichtenstein operation: a prospective evaluation of sixty-four patients.

To assess the feasibility and safety of open tension-free mesh repair (Lichtenstein operation) of inguinal hernias on ambulatory surgery basis. A prospective study of the Lichtenstein operation on 64 patients of inguinal hernias who were operated the authors and surgical trainees at Unit III, Department of General Surgery at National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Nepal from April 13, 2004 to April 31, 2006. Data related to age, sex, characteristics of the hernia, feasibility of the Lichtenstein operation under unmonitored local anesthesia and its surgical outcomes were compiled prospectively. The inguinal hernia was virtually a disease of male patients. In this study, male: female ratio was 63:1. Majority (84.4 %) of the inguinal hernias were safely operated under local infiltration anesthesia on day surgery basis with minimal morbidity rate (14.0%). The inguinal hernia is one of the common surgical problems of the adult population. The Lichtenstein operation can be safely performed on ambulatory surgery under unmonitored local anesthesia with a low morbidity. Hence, local anesthesia technique for the hernia repair is a viable alternative to spinal or general anesthesia.