Lichtenstein or darn procedure in inguinal hernia repair: a prospective randomized comparative study

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients with inguinal hernia where the Moloney darn or Lichtenstein procedure was used as the surgical choice.

Method: A herniorrhaphy procedure was performed in a total of 306 patients at our clinic between January 2003 and December 2008. The duration of operations and complication and recurrent rates were compared between the two groups. Hematoma formation, seroma collection, and wound infection were accepted as early complications, whereas chronic pain, loss of sensation at the operation site, and the rejection of mesh were accepted as late complications.

Results: Considering early complications as hematoma formation, the accumulation of seroma and wound infection ratios were similar in the two groups. Loss of sensation at the operation site and chronic pain, which were classified as late complications, were similar in the groups. However, in considering rejection, there were three rejections in the group where mesh was used.

Conclusion: The darn repair method is simple, safe, and has similar recurrence rates when compared to the Lichtenstein method in inguinal hernia patients.