Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty for inguinal hernias: simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

Abstract

Background: Mesh hernioplasty has gained wide spread acceptance due to its superior outcome in terms of reduced recurrence rates which are in the range of 1 to 2%. Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty is currently the most popular operative technique for open repair of inguinal hernia. We aim in this paper to evaluate the treatment outcome of the tension free repair of inguinal hernias by the liechtenstein mesh repair. Methods: 649 Saudi Arabian patients treated for inguinal hernia between January 2003 and December 2012 was reviewed. 595 (91.7%) were males, and 54 (8.3%) were females, ratio = 12:1. Age of the patients ranged from 20-80 years, with mean age of 43.203±14.41 years. Results: 42 (6.5%) patients develops wound hematoma, 59 (9%) patients developed numbness at the site of operations, 62 (9.6 %) patients felt the sensation of a foreign body in the groin area, 24 (3.7%) patients developed wound infection, 17 (2.6%) patients developed scrotal swelling, 14 (2.2%) patients developed seroma, and 7 patients (1.1%) develop chronic groin pain at the site of operations. No recurrence was recorded with a follow up period of 24 months. Conclusions: Tension-free mesh repair is a simple, safe and effective method of treatment for inguinal hernia with extremely low early and late morbidity and remarkably low recurrence rate, combined with the ability of patients to return to work in a short period makes it the best approach to manage inguinal hernia in terms of clinical, and socioeconomic outcome.