Background: Mesh- based hernioplasties became the reference in inguinal hernia repair.
Aim: To evaluate the results of combining a conic Plug to the Lichtenstein Mesh for inguinal hernia repair.
Methods: Between January 2007 and January 2009 we included 50 patients with primary or recurrent inguinal hernia in a prospective comparative randomized controlled trial. The randomization concerned the association of the conic Plug to the Lichtenstein Mesh. The primary objectives were to establish if any differences in operation time, postoperative pain response and/or postoperative recovery time, chronic pain and recurrence could be detected between the 2 groups. All patients were seen and data were collected after 2 weeks, 6 months and 2 years.
Results: Twenty two patients were treated by Lichtenstein Mesh (group A) and we associated the conic Plug to 28 patients (group B). The mean age was 56 years. Forty three patients were discharged after 24 hours. The postoperative pain was low with visual analogue scores ≤ 5 for 48 patients. One patient had residual pain treated efficiency with medical treatment. No recurrence in the 2 groups in 2 years outcome. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups.
Conclusion: Results of the Lichtenstein plus Plug technique are similar to the Lichtenstein results. There were no significant differences between the 2 groups concerning early or late complications. The recurrence will be revaluated after 5 and 10 years outcome.