Comparative Study Of Skin Staples And Polypropylene Sutures For Securing The Mesh In Lichtenstein’s Tension Free Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Background and objectives Lichtenstein technique of inguinal hernia repair is an effective and safe method with low recurrence rate. This study was designed to compare the two methods for securing the mesh in Lichtenstein tension free inguinal hernia repair so as to draw the benefits of skin staples in terms of total operation time, post operative complications and cost of the operation. Methodology This one year randomized controlled trial was done from January 2013 to December 2013 under the Department of General Surgery, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Belgaum. A total of 60 patients undergoing lichtenstein tension free inguinal hernia repair divided into two groups of 30 each viz., group S (securing the mesh using skin staples) and group P (polypropylene sutures) were studied. Results In this study 43.33% of the patients were aged between 46 to 60 years in group P compared to 36.67% in group S (p=0.839). The mean age in group P was 49.00±13.71 years compared to 54.23±16.18 years in group S (p=0.182). The mean part A operative time was comparable in group P and S (29.82±1.76 vs 29.23±1.48; p=0.169). The mean Part B operative time was significantly low in group S compared to group P (17.16±1.61 vs 24.34±1.24; p<0.001). Post operative complication of induration and seroma were comparable in both the groups. None of the patient was observed to have hematoma and infection in both the groups. Conclusion and interpretation The skin staples can be applied much more quickly than sutures for mesh fixation thereby saving the operating time without any in¬crease in complications, as compared to the use of sutures. The advantages of speed and convenience of skin staples outweigh marginal extra cost