FACTORS AFFECTING RECURRENCE IN LICHTENSTEIN HERNIOPLASTY "A CLINICAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY"

Abstract

We examined the factors effecting recurrence in patients with lichtenstein hernioplasty for primary and recurrent inguinal hernias. 357 patients undergoing lichtenstein hernioplasty between January 1993 and December 1997 were investigated prospectively. The early and late complications were found out and the factors effecting recurrence were examined with Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis statistically. Total 357 patients underwent 383 inguinal hernia repair (6.8% bilateral), Mean age was 50.8 years and 86% of patients were male. The hernias were classified as direct (n=74), indirect (n=309); or primary (n=354) and recurrent (n=28) types. There was prostate hyperplasia in 54 patients, 20 patients had chronic obstructive lung disease and 17 patient had chronic constipation. We observed early complications in 52 patient (13.6%) and 5(1.6%) recurrence in the mean 39 months (range 16-62 months)follow up period, The recurrence ratios were 25%, 11.8%, 7.4%, 5.8%, and 5.4% in patients with wound infection; chronic constipation; bilateral synchronize hernioplasty; early complications; direct hernias respectively. Direct hernia, wound infection and chronic constipation were found to be independent factors affecting recurrence. Lichtenstein herniopiasty is o safe method with low postoperative complication and recurrent rate in primary and recurrence hernia repair. Development of postoperative early complications especially wound infections should be prevented and serious attention have to be applied on the surgical technique for decreasing the recurrent ratio.