Authors: T Bisgaard M BayNielsen H Kehlet
Publish Date: 2010/05/09
Volume: 14, Issue: 5, Pages: 467-469
Abstract
Largescale data for the optimal inguinal hernia repair in younger men with an indirect hernia is not available We analysed nationwide data for risk of reoperation in younger men after a primary repair using a Lichtenstein operation or a conventional nonmesh hernia repairProspective recording of all inguinal hernia repairs from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2005 in the national Danish Hernia Database using reoperation rate as a proxy for recurrence We included only men between the age of 18 and 30 years with a primary repair of a primary indirect inguinal herniaA primary sutured repair was performed in 1120 men median age 23 years range 18–30 and a Lichtenstein mesh repair in 2061 young men 24 years range 18–30 total 3181 patients The observation time after conventional hernia repair was median 62 months range 0–96 and 41 months range 0–96 after a Lichtenstein repair The cumulative incidence of reoperation at 5 years was 16 Lichtenstein versus 39 sutured repair while overall reoperation rates were almost threefold as high after a sutured repair 39 reoperations overall reoperation rate = 35 compared to a Lichtenstein repair 24 reoperations overall reoperation rate = 12 P = 00003Lichtenstein repair for an indirect inguinal hernia reduces the risk of recurrence in young men between the age of 18 and 30 years compared with a sutured repair The use of a Lichtenstein mesh repair in young males must be balanced against the risk of chronic pain
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