A comparative study of Desarda's technique with Lichtenstein mesh repair in treatment of inguinal hernia: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

The Desarda repair technique of inguinal hernia repair introduced in 2001 is still not considered standard tissue based hernia repair technique. We compared the tissue based Desarda technique with standard Lichtenstein repair in treatment of primary inguinal hernia.

METHODS

187 cases were allocated into 2 groups. Desarda (D Group) had 92 and Lichtenstein (L Group) had 95 patients. Primary outcome factor was early (<1 year) recurrence of inguinal hernia. Secondary outcome factors included operative time measured from skin incision to skin closure. Postoperative pain scores was assessed on day 1, 3, 7, 30 and 90 using Visual analogue scale. Time taken to return to basic and home activities was calculated. Cord oedema, groin discomfort, seroma, fever, surgical site infections, chronic pain, etc. were evaluated as postoperative complications.

RESULTS

After a 15-month mean follow up period 1 recurrence is noted in each arm (P = 1). Operative time was 73.89 ± 12.63 min in Lichtenstein and 72.60 ± 13.89 min in desarda repair (P = 0.508). Postoperative pain was significantly less in the first 7 post-operative days in Desarda group (P = 0.09) compared to Lichtenstein group. Time taken to return to basic and home activities was significantly less in Desarda group (P = 0.001). There was no statistical difference in rates of post-operative complications among the two arms of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of inguinal hernia treatment with the Desarda technique are similar to the results after standard Lichtenstein operations. Desarda technique does not use a mesh. Patients after Desarda's operative procedure get ambulatory sooner as compared to the standard Lichtenstein mesh repair. Less Postoperative pain, complications similar to standardised technique. Desarda technique has the potential to enlarge the number of tissue based methods available to treat groin hernias.