title: Tension-free inguinal hernia repair: a retrospective study of 3000 cases in one center.
abstract: The tension-free anterior repair of inguinal hernia using a mesh, initially described by Zagdoun in 1959 and perfectly described by Lichtenstein, was used as a basis for the technique we adapted 17 years ago. The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the clinical long-term results of this modified tension-free technique. Three thousand inguinal hernias were operated by the same surgeon. The Lichtenstein technique modifications were the nature and the enlarged size of the mesh (polyester-Parietex, 13 x 9 cm) and the fixation method (staples). Complications, pain, and recurrence were carefully reported on a standardized file. Immediate complications were rare and always minor: hematomas and parietal abscesses. With a mean follow-up of 8 years, 48 cases of persisting pains (2%) coming from nervous irritation were reported, and only 12 recurrences (0.5%) were detected more than 10 years after surgery. Based on follow-up of these 3000 hernias, the results of this study exhibit a very low rate of recurrence (0.5%). This technique seems to be easy, painless, safe, and effective.
authors.affiliation: Clinique des 4 Pavillons, Lormont, France. chastan@wanadoo.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chastan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011091:Polyesters; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters