Simultaneous repair of bilateral groin hernias using local anaesthesia: a review of 199 cases with a five-year follow-up.
BACKGROUND
There has been controversy concerning the simultaneous repair of bilateral groin hernias and the method of anaesthesia.


METHODS
A consecutive series of 199 bilateral inguinal hernias was repaired by the Lichtenstein non-tension mesh technique over a two-year period (1997-98). In 96% of them local anaesthesia was used. These were reviewed after five years.


RESULTS
There were no increased recurrence or infection rates, with both between 0.5-1%. Pulmonary and urinary complications did not occur. The cost of this technique is substantially less than sequential or laparoscopic operations.


CONCLUSIONS
The reasons advanced for sequential repair of bilateral hernias have been the lower risks of infection and recurrence. Neither of these fears is evident from this study. Furthermore, the use of local anaesthesia permits the operation to be done in a day care clinic.


CONCLUSIONS
Simultaneous bilateral repair of inguinal hernias using local anaesthesia is as effective as sequential repair, at lower cost and with less total time off work.
Kark
A E
AE
British Hernia Centre, 87 Watford Way, Hendon Central, London, NW4 4RS, UK. surgeons@hernia.org
Belsham
P A
PA
Kurzer
M N
MN
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome