Lichtenstein hernioplasty for groin hernia in central Africa

Abstract

Background Herniorraphy is a common surgical procedure in our surgical practice in Cameroon. A study was conducted in The General Hospital of Yaoundé, to assess Lichtenstein hernioplasty technique, among other hernioplasties. Materials and methods. Fourteen patients were studied, in a retrospective study of 9 years (1996 to 2005) in A General Hospital in Yaounde Cameroon, Central African. All the patients benefited from a tension-free repair using a surgical mesh of polyglactin 910 (vicril*) under local anesthesia. This technique was applied for simple inguinal hernias, bilateral hernia and recurrent hernia.Results The time of surgery varied from 35 minutes to 140 minutes. Three complications were noted including one hematoma, one scrotal oedema and one crural neuralgia; 9 patients out of 14 were followed up closely for 9 years; no recurrence was noted. Conclusion: We therefore recommend the technique of the Lichtenstein in the repair of the groin hernia, in association to local anaesthesia in Cameroon.