To compare Gross & Ferguson and Mitchell-Banks repair techniques in children with congenital inguinal hernia.

ABSTRACT

Aims: To compare operating time, early complication(s) and outcome of Gross & Ferguson and Mitchell-Banks repair techniques in children with congenital inguinal hernia. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized study including boys aged 1-12 years, was conducted over one year. The patients were allocated in two interventional groups based on the repair viz. Gross and Ferguson and Mitchell-Banks group. After hernia repair, the patients were followed up on the day of surgery and at one week for early complications. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled. Mean operating time in Mitchell-Banks technique was significantly more than Gross and Ferguson technique (p=0.00012). The incidence of fever in two groups was similar. Scrotal edema was statistically significant in MB group on both Post-Operative Day -1 and 7 (p=0.023 and p=0.034). No patient in either group had wound infection or scrotal hematoma on POD-1. One subject (2%) had scrotal hematoma in MB group on POD-7. A total of 12 subjects (24%) had Surgical Site Infection on POD-7. There was statistically higher incidence of SSI on Day-7 in GF group (32%) as compared to MB group (16%) (p=0.018). Conclusion: GF technique had lesser operating time, less incidence of scrotal edema and hematoma though higher rate of surgical site infections. In this respect, GF technique can be used as a simple and safe procedure.