Preferred mesh-based inguinal hernia repair in a teaching setting: results of a randomized study.
OBJECTIVE
Surgeons' preferences for any of 3 methods of inguinal hernia repair are comparable in terms of operating time, incision length, perceived difficulty, and surgeon's satisfaction.


METHODS
Randomized patient-blinded study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital.


METHODS
A total of 334 patients randomized to receive 1 of the 3 repairs.


METHODS
Patients underwent hernia repair with the Prolene Hernia System, mesh plug repair, or Lichtenstein technique.


METHODS
Operating variables, surgeon's rating of satisfaction and difficulty, grade and experience of the operating team, and complications.


RESULTS
The Lichtenstein technique took significantly the longest operating time (52 minutes vs 41 or 42 minutes; P<.001). The mesh plug repair scored the best results in difficulty and satisfaction. Overall, surgeons having performed more than 5 procedures rated the repairs less difficult and with significantly more satisfaction (P<.001 and P = .001, respectively). The complication rate did not differ between the treatment groups. None of the operative findings was correlated to the outcome, except for adverse correlation with the body mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
From a surgeon's point of view, the mesh plug repair is superior to the Lichtenstein technique and the Prolene Hernia System in terms of operating time, incision length, perceived difficulty, and surgeon's satisfaction.
Nienhuijs
Simon
S
Department of Surgery, Canisius-Wilhelmina Hospital, 6500 HBNijmegen, the Netherlands. s.nienhuijs@hccnet.nl
Kortmann
Barbara
B
Boerma
Michiel
M
Strobbe
Luc
L
Rosman
Camiel
C
D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013526:Surgical Mesh