title: A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing the Prolene Hernia System® and the Lichtenstein patch technique for inguinal hernia repair in long term: 2- and 5-Year results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Long-term sequelae in open inguinal hernia repair with either a bilayer mesh (Prolene Hernia System [PHS]) or an onlay mesh (Lichtenstein patch) were compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires, phone calls, and clinical evaluation were applied as follow-up at 2 and 5 years postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five percent of patients in the PHS group and 14% in the Lichtenstein group (P = .022) reported sensory dysfunction of the skin in the operated groin at 5 years. Chronic postoperative pain decreased over time and was reported by 11% of all patients at 5 years. Discomfort in the operated groin was found in 25% of all patients 5 years after the operation. The cumulative recurrence rate at 5 years was .8% for the PHS and 1.7% for the Lichtenstein procedure (P = .620).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 2 approaches resulted in comparable rates of recurrence and long-term chronic postoperative pain. The Lichtenstein patch caused significantly more often long-term sensory dysfunction of the skin in the operated groin.
authors.affiliation: Helsinki University Central Hospital, Jorvi Hospital, Espoo, Finland. georgios.pierides@ﬁmnet.fi
authors.forename: Georgios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pierides
authors.forename: Jaana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vironen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology; D013526:Surgical Mesh / Q000009:adverse effects; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes