Prolene Hernia System compared with Lichtenstein patch: a randomised double blind study of short-term and medium-term outcomes in primary inguinal hernia repair.
BACKGROUND
Refinements in the configuration of mesh may ease handling and placement and reduce postoperative discomfort.


METHODS
A total of 206 patients were randomly and blindly allocated to receive the Prolene Hernia System (PHS) or Lichtenstein patch. Collected data included: surgical incision size, procedure time, pain scores, analgesic medication, complications, return to activity and work, and quality of life as measured by Short-Form 36 on days 3 and 14.


RESULTS
Immediate post-operative pain was significantly lower with PHS than with the patch. The proportion of PHS patients taking longer than 3 days to return to normal activity was 15.5%, compared to 28.4% of patch patients. Operating time was significantly shorter with PHS (34.1 vs. 38.3 min). There was no treatment effect on any of the quality of life scales as measured by Short-Form 36. There were two recurrences in the patch group.


CONCLUSIONS
The study indicates a reduction in operating time (4 min) and postoperative recovery with the PHS compared with patch.
Kingsnorth
A N
AN
Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, UK. andrew.kingsnorth@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
Wright
D
D
Porter
C S
CS
Robertson
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D011126:Polypropylenes