Short-term Outcome of Lichtenstein Versus Bassini Herniorrhaphy

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To compare the results of Lichtenstein tension-free mesh herniorrhaphy with conventional Bassini herniorrhaphy under general anesthesia. METHODS: One hundred eighteen adult patients were randomized to undergo either Lichtenstein mesh (n=61) or Bassini inguinal hernia repair (n=57) between January 1995 and December 1998 at the Department of Surgery, Uijongbu St. Mary's Hospital. Operation time, postoperative pain, narcotic use, time until discharge, morbidity, and time to resumption of usual activities were recorded. RESULTS: The Lichtenstein tension-free mesh herniorrhaphy had significantly shorter operation time than Bassini's operation (69.7 15.7 minutes vs 86.9 23.4 minutes, p<0.005). Patients in Lichtenstein group felt less pain than those in Bassini group 90 days after operation (9.8% vs 26.3%, p=0.019). The incidence of urinary retention of Lichtenstein group tended to be less than that of Bassini group, but there was no statistical difference between two groups (8.2% vs 19.3%, p=0.078). There was no difference between the herniorrhaphy methods with respect to postoperative pain, narcotic use, time until discharge, time to resumption of usual activities, and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy is a promising technique for hernia repair in adults because it is fast, less painful and offers the same excellent recurrent rate as conventional methods.