title: Laparoscopic or Lichtenstein repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no clear answer regarding the use of laparoscopic techniques versus the Lichtenstein method for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopy versus the Lichtenstein repair by a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index updated to May 2012, were searched. The main outcome measures were wound infections and haematoma, urinary retention, post-operative chronic pain and recurrence. A meta-analysis of included RCTs was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five RCTs, comprising a total of 427 patients, were included. Although most of the analysed outcomes were similar between groups, wound infection rates and post-operative chronic pain occurred less frequently in the laparoscopic group than in the Lichtenstein group (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.97; P = 0.05; odds ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.68; P = 0.002, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The laparoscopic approach to the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia is superior to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty in some aspects that affect patient satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Da Nian
authors.initials: da N
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D015233:Models, Statistical; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome