Repair of inguinal hernia under local anaesthesia

ABSTRACT

Inguinal hernias are being increasingly operated under local anaesthesia nowadays. In this study efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of Inguinal Hernia repair under local anaesthesia was evaluated. This was a prospective study of 80 patients of Inguinal hernia who presented in Surgical out patient department of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences [PIMS], Islamabad. Study was conducted over a period of one and a half year i.e. from 01-01-2000 to 31-08- 2001. All patients were operated under local anaesthesia. Xylocaine 1% with adrenaline 1200,000 was used. In some cases Bupivacaine 0.25% was also used. Both direct and indirect hernias were operated and repair technique was used at random, either Bassini, shouldice or Lichtenstein. The local anaesthetic infiltration was successful in most of patients and it was a wonderful experience both for the patients and surgeon. When we analyzed the results, it was noted that 75% patients were discharged on the day of operation. Incidence of complication was very low and none of the patients reported with recurrence on regular follow ups till to date. As hernia repair under local anaesthesia is very cost effective, so it can be very successful in our circumstances where burden of operation lists is very much and financial resources are minimal. Inguinal hernias should be operated on day case basis under local anaesthesia routinely