title: Comparison of polydioxanone (PDS) and polypropylene (Prolene) for Shouldice repair of primary inguinal hernias: a prospective randomised trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the recurrence rates after Shouldice operation for primary inguinal hernias, using non-absorbable polypropylene or absorbable polydioxanone suture material.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomised, controlled trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Teaching hospital, Germany.
  
  
  METHODS
  220 male patients who had 233 elective Shouldice repairs of primary inguinal hernias, 201 of whom were followed up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Standard Shouldice procedure with 2/0 polypropylene (Prolene, n = 98) or 2/0 polydioxanone (PDS, n = 103).
  
  
  METHODS
  Recurrence rates after a minimum follow-up of 24 months (range 24-48, mean 31).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numbers of early complications were similar in the two groups; there were 2 wound infections in each. A total of 193 patients with 201 repairs had a documented follow-up (86%). There were 6 recurrences in the PDS group and 5 in the Prolene group, giving a total recurrence rate of 5%. This difference was not significant (Fisher's exact test, p = 1.0).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recurrence rates in both groups were higher than expected, but there was no difference between the two groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Krankenhaus Alten Eichen, Teaching Hospital of Hamburg University, Germany.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Hilgert
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dörner
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wittkugel
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016687:Polydioxanone; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013537:Sutures; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes; D016687:Polydioxanone