Inguinal hernia repair: A comparison between local and general anaesthesia

Abstract

Background: A comparative analysis of outcomes of inguinal hernia repair performed under local (LA) and general anaesthesia (GA) by a single surgeon using a standardized technique of anterior transversalis repair was performed. Ninety-three cases were examined, 56 of which were cases of LA hernia repair. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the patient hospital record was performed with particular attention to intra-operative and postoperative analgesia requirements. Results: An overall series complication rate of 6.5% (6/93) is reported. Only one of 56 LA patients (2%) required more than 24 h of narcotic analgesic injections compared to 11% (4/37) in the GA group (P < 0.05). The mean total postoperative parenteral narcotic requirement in the LA group was 86 ± 14 mg of pethidine as compared to the GA group who had a mean total requirement of 121 ± 17 mg of pethidine (P > 0.08). Conclusions: The LA infiltration technique is an effective method for inguinal hernia repair. This series demonstrates benefits in terms of length of hospital stay and a lower incidence of postoperative parenteral narcotic analgesic requirement although when postoperative parenteral narcotics were required by the LA group of patients, the difference in mean total pethidine requirement was not statistically significant.