Local anaesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy--a neglected technique.

Ninety-nine inguinal herniorrhaphies were performed under local anaesthetic blockade between 1980 and 1988. This represents 32% of this surgical teams herniorrhaphy operations. A follow-up interview was possible in 82 patients. Satisfaction was expressed by 77 patient (94%) although six of the interviewed patients (7.4%) had moderate/significant discomfort during the procedure. Four of the 99 patients (4%) developed a wound infection.