Comparison of open pre-peritoneal mesh repair with lichtenstein repair in complex inguinal hernias

Aim: to compare open pre-peritoneal mesh repair with lichtenstein repair in complex inguinal hernias for early postoperative complications,postoperative hospital stay and recurrence. method: the study was conducted in surgical unit-i,nawaz sharif social security teaching hospital,lahore for one year from 01-01-2013 to 31-12-2013. sixty patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were included in this study and they were divided into two equal groups a and b. the group a was treated with open pre-peritoneal mesh and group b was treated by lichtenstein repair. results: the mean age in group a was 40.67±16.39 years and in group b was 42.67±15.88 years. the mean postoperative hospital stay in group a (open pre-peritoneal mesh) was 3.5±2.57 days. the mean postoperative hospital stay in group b (lichtenstein repair) was 3.03±2.77 days. in group a,24 (80%) patients had mild pain and 6(20%) patients had moderate pain and in group b,25(83.3%) patients had mild pain,4(13.3%) had moderate pain and 1(3.3%) patient had severe pain. in early postoperative complications in group a,2(6.7%) patients developed urinary retention,1(3.3%) wound infection,1(3.3%) wound haematoma,3(10%) scrotal haematoma,1(3.3%) scrotal seroma and there was no wound seroma. in group b,3(10%) patients developed urinary retention,2(6.7%) wound infection,2(6.7%) wound haematoma,1(3.3%) scrotal haematoma,1(3.3%) wound seroma and there was no scrotal seroma. conclusion: open pre-peritoneal mesh and lichtenstein repair are comparable in postoperative hospital stay,early postoperative complications and recurrence rate.