INGUINAL HERNIA

Objectives: To compare the rate of wound infection, recurrence and haematoma formation following Darn & Lichtenstein repair.Design: Prospective, comparative study. Place & Duration: Surgical Unit-ll, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: One year study from 15-01-2003 to 15-01-2004. Patients & Methods: Total of 50 male patients between 16-60 years of age having right sided, left sided and bilateralinguinal hernias were divided by odd and even numbers into two groups, each group consisting of 25 patients. In 1s t group of patients,Lichtenstein repair was done. While in 2n d group, Darn repair of posterior inguinal wall was performed. Patients were examined postoperativelyfor wound infection, haematoma formation & recurrence. Most of them presented with reducible inguinal hernias (84%) while others withirreducible inguinal hernias (16%). Results: Wound infection and hematoma formation were not observed in any patient in case of Lichtensteinrepair. Wound infection was not observed in any patient and hematoma formation in two patients in case of Darn repair. Recurrence occurredin one patient with Darn repair while non was observed in case of Lichtenstein repair. Conclusion: Lichtenstein repair (mesh repair) of inguinalhernia is safe & has less rate of recurrence and haematoma formation.