Taufiqul Haque1, Md Jahangir Hossain Bhuiyan2, Ahamaduz Zaman3, Kuntal Das4
Back ground: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most commonly performed surgeries worldwide but recurrence rates are variable. To prevent recurrence, prosthetic materials have been increasingly used in hernia repair and the Lichtenstein tension free mesh repair remains the gold standard. Open tension free mesh techniques of inguinal hernia repair offers good results and has been associated with several advantages, such as less postoperative pain, rapid recovery and low recurrence rates. Objective: This prospective study is carried out to evaluate the short and long term outcome of Lichtenstein tension free hernioplasty in the hand of general surgeon. Patients and methods: In this prospective study a total of 387 procedures were carried out in 345 male patients during the study period from January 2014 to June 2018 in Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Comilla Medical College Hospital and private hospital. Patients’ selections follow predesigned inclusion and exclusion criteria. Polyprophylene mesh repair (Lichtenstein technique) used in all inguinal hernia repair under spinal and epidural anesthesia.. The main outcome measure was early and late morbidity and especially recurrence and groin pain. Results: The median age was 51.50(20 to 72) years. Seroma in 07 (2.28%), hematoma in 03 (0.86%), Transient testicular swelling in 20(5.79 %) ,wound infection in 03(0.86%) and Paraesthesia in 13(3.76%) patients developed as early post operative complications. During the long term follow up of available 253 patients no mesh rejection and 1(0.28%) recurrence of hernia was found. Groin pain/Postoperative neuralgia developed in 18(5.20%) cases, discharging wound sinus in 1(0.28%), foreign body sensation in 28 (8.11%), Vaginal hydrocele in 2(0.57%) and Testicular atrophy was in 3(0.86%). Conclusion: The Lichtenstein open tension-free mesh repair of adult inguinal hernia is a safe procedure with least postoperative morbidity and least chance of recurrence. It is a simple technique, easy to perform without compromising the patient's care and long term outcome in an experience general surgeon.