Background: Various
techniques for
treatment of
inguinal hernia have been studied. The use of a mesh is costly and has its own
complications . In Desarda’s
technique -
external oblique muscle aponeurosis is placed in the form of an undetached strip for
inguinal hernia repair. The objective of this study is to compare the outcomes of Lichtenstein’s repair versus Desarda’s
technique .
Methods: In this
prospective study , 50
patients with
inguinal hernia were enrolled at A. J. Institute of Medical
Sciences and
Research centre. 25
patients each were divided into two groups by
randomization and were operated using Lichtenstein’s
hernioplasty and Desarda’s
technique .
Patients were assessed for
cost effectiveness , operation
time ,
postoperative pain ,
hospital stay ,
foreign body sensation , return to non-strenuous activity,
complications and
recurrence rate in the
postoperative period on day 1, 3, 5, 1 month and 6 months.
Results: With regards to
pain ,
foreign body sensation and duration of
surgery Desarda’s repair was better than Lichtenstein’s repair (p<0.05). Mean
hospital stay in Desarda’s group was comparable to the Lichtenstein group (p=0.16). Return to normal non-strenuous activity after 7-15 days in Desarda was 80% and 64% in Lichtenstein. No case of
recurrence or chronic
groin pain in either group was found.
Conclusions: Based on the result, reduced
cost of
treatment , lesser
post-operative pain and no mesh related
complications authors can conclude that Desarda’s
technique is equally effective as Lichtenstein’s repair for
inguinal hernia and can consider it as the
method of choice in treating
inguinal hernia .