Inguinal hernia repair: a comparison between local and general anaesthesia.
BACKGROUND
A comparative analysis of outcomes of inguinal hernia repair performed under local (LA) and general anaesthesia (GA) by a single surgeon using a standardized technique of anterior transversalis repair was performed. Ninety-three cases were examined, 56 of which were cases of LA hernia repair.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of the patient hospital record was performed with particular attention to intra-operative and post-operative analgesia requirements.


RESULTS
An overall series complication rate of 6.5% (6/93) is reported. Only one of 56 LA patients (2%) required more than 24 h of narcotic analgesic injections compared to 11% (4/37) in the GA group (P < 0.05). The mean total postoperative parenteral narcotic requirement in the LA group was 86+/-14 mg of pethidine as compared to the GA group who had a mean total requirement of 121+/-17 mg of pethidine (P > 0.08).


CONCLUSIONS
The LA infiltration technique is an effective method for inguinal hernia repair. This series demonstrates benefits in terms of length of hospital stay and a lower incidence of postoperative parenteral narcotic analgesic requirement although when post-operative parenteral narcotics were required by the LA group of patients, the difference in mean total pethidine requirement was not statistically significant.
Subramaniam
P
P
Burnie Division, North-West Regional Hospital, Tasmania, Australia. subramaniam@c031.aone.net.au
Leslie
J
J
Gourlay
C
C
Clezy
J K
JK
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D000772:Anesthesia, Local; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies