Comparison between Lichtenstein procedure using polypropylene mesh and self-fixating mesh for management of primary inguinal hernia in adult male patients in terms of chronic postoperative pain: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-gripping mesh compared with standard polypropylene mesh (PM) in treating primary inguinal hernia in adult male patients in terms of chronic postoperative pain. Patients and methods One hundred male patients with primary inguinal hernia were randomly allocated into two groups: group I included 50 patients (mean age, 35.92±13.21 years) who were treated with the standard PM and group B included 50 patients (mean age, 36.60±13.12 years) who were treated with the self-fixating mesh (SF). Results Recurrence was encountered in only one patient in the PM group and in one patient of the SF group. Visual analog scale showed significant less early and late postoperative pain in the SF group compared with the PM group. The operative time for the SF group (47.54±6.51 min) was significantly shorter compared with the PM group (58.82 ±11.90 min). Both PM and SF groups showed no significant differences as regards hospital stay (0.78± 0.53 vs.0.74±0.31 days), time to return to domestic activity (1.96±1.16 vs. 1.66±0.80 days), time to return to work activity (7.34±2.17 vs. 6.98±1.66 days), and early postoperative complications. Conclusion After 1 year follow-up, in Lichtenstein repair, using the Self-gripping ProGrip mesh showed significant less chronic postoperative pain compared with the standard PM. The use of Self-gripping ProGrip mesh was also associated with a significantly less operative time.