[Five hundred outpatient hernioplasties using the Lichtenstein method]

Abstract

The Lichtenstein repair method is an excellent and simple technique for hernia repair performed as a day-case procedure. A consecutive series of 500 ambulatory groin hernia repairs from 1994 to 2002 was studied. The mean follow-up for 84.6% of the patients was 2 years (range 6-86 months). There were no severe complications. The rate of clinically important wound haematomas (n=6, 1.2%) was low, as well as the numbers of testicular atrophies (n=1, 0.2%) and deep wound infection (n=1, 0.2%). We saw no thrombosis. There were 15 recurrences (3.5%). Ninety-six per cent of the patients were satisfied with the outpatient operation. In day-case surgery, conditions for the patients' treatment at home should be checked carefully by surgeons before the operation.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that the number of day-case hernia repairs can be increased without severe complications. The procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis without problems under general anaesthesia. Increasing day-case surgery could significantly reduce the costs of health care.