Published Paper Details:

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The primary objective was to compare post operative pain using visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary objectives measured were hospital stay in days, time to resume normal activities and post operative complications. METHODS: This was a comparative randomized control study where 40 patients with inguinal hernias were enrolled. Patients undergoing Laparoscopic hernia repair (LHR) and Lichtenstein tension free hernia repair (LTHR), were randomized into two groups. An informed consent was taken following various investigations. Further, the patients who underwent surgery, were evaluated for post-operative pain, hospital stay, time to return to normal activities and complications. RESULTS: It was found that the VAS score was lesser in LHR group as compared to LTHR group in different time points (day 1, day 3 and week 1) and it was showing a significant difference (p<0.0001) between the groups. There was also a significant difference found in median of time that is required for normal activity and it was significantly more in LTHR group (6.55�1.73) as compared to the LHR group (3.25�1.25) (p<0.0001). The median of hospital stay in LTHR group is significantly more (4.35�1.81) than LHR group (2.8�0.89). Even the complications were found more in LTHR group (10%) than in LHR group (5%). CONCLUSION: Apart from the complications, which were found to be similar, laparoscopic hernia repair was found to be better in all the above mentioned aspects. However, the data is insufficient to conclude which surgery is better overall, as long-term follow up is required to evaluate for chronic pain, recurrence and learning curve in laparoscopic hernia repair.