Comparision of Modified Prolene Hernia System Repair Versus Conventional Lichtenstein Mesh Repair for Post-Operative Pain in Inguinal Hernias - A Randomised Control Trial

Abstract

Introduction ABSTRACT Inguinal hernioplasty is an evolving surgical solution to an age old problem. The most important criteria for the choice of method are safety ( morbidity and mortality ) , recurrence rates and convenience for the patient and post-operative pain. The Lichtenstein “tension-free” mesh repair is currently the gold standard to which all other repairs are compared. The introduction of prolene hernia system has further revolutionised the field. Objective The aim of the study was to compare post-operative pain following Modified Prolene Hernia System repair against the conventional Lichtenstein’s mesh repair in repair of inguinal hernias. The post-operative pain is assessed on the basis of Visual Analogue Scale. Methodology The present one year randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Surgery, KLES Dr. PrabhakarKore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum on 60 patients with inguinal hernias during the period of December 2008 to December 2009. The patients were divided into two different groups by number randomization ( Group 1 Modified Prolene Hernia System and Group 2 conventional Lichtenstein mesh repair ) . Post-operative pain was assessed at 2 weeeks and then every 15 days upto 12 weeks by the Visual Analogue Scale. IV Results There was no statistical difference in the baseline characteristics like age distribution and side of hernia between the two groups. The pain in MPHS repair at 2 weeks was 5.70.56 and at 12 weeks it was 1.00.30. In conventional Lichtenstein mesh repair mean pain score at 2 weeks was 5.90.69 and at 12 weeks it was 1.10.35. P value was insignificant for every assessment of both groups. Conclusions The Modified Prolene Hernia System provides the benefits of both an anterior repair and posterior repair with the incidence of post-operative pain being same as the conventional Lichtenstein repair.