A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DESARDA VS LICHTENSTEIN REPAIR FOR UNCOMPLICATED INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR IN A RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE & HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernias rank among the commonest of all hernias and surgery is the only denitive treatment. We analysed the outcomes of Desarda tissue based repair in comparison with the standard Lichtenstein tension free mesh repair of primary inguinal hernia. METHODS: A total of 100 patients were randomly allocated into two groups, Desarda (group D) or Lichtenstein (group L) (50 VS 50, respectively). The primary outcome measures were operating time, post-operative pain scores, duration of post- operative hospital stay, time to return to basic physical activity and to work, foreign body sensation, and post- operative complications like seroma , haematoma , wound infection . Secondary outcome measures included chronic groin pain and recurrence during the follow up period . RESULTS: Operative time was signicantly less in the Desarda group (24.3400 ± 5.6518 )min as compared to (30.5200 ± 7.6405 )min in the Lichtenstein group. Postoperative day 1, day 3 and day 7 operative site pain was more in the Lichtenstein as compared to the Desarda group. Basic physical activity( post operative ambulation), chronic groin pain, seroma formation, haematoma formation, foreign body sensation, were also signicantly less in the Desarda group. During 3month follow up, 1 recurrence was detected in each group CONCLUSIONS: The successful primary inguinal hernia repair without use of mesh can be achieved using Desarda tissue based repair. It is as effective as the standard Lichtenstein tension free mesh repair. Shorter operative time, early return to basic physical activity, less chronic groin pain, less foreign body sensation and low postoperative complication are potential benets of Desarda repair and can be preferred for primary inguinal hernia repair