Lichtenstein Versus Modified Bassini Technique for Inguinal Hernia Repair in Emergency Settings: A Prospective Randomized Comparative Study at a Tertiary Care Centre

Authors

  • Aloke Kumar Sinhababu Assistant Professor, MBBS, DCH, MS (General Surgery), M.Ch (Paediatric Surgery), Department of Paediatric Surgery, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri, West Bengal 734012
  • Rajarshi Kumar Associate Professor, M Ch. (Paediatric Surgery), Department of Paediatric Surgery, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri, West Bengal 734012
  • Arkaprovo Roy Professor, MS General Surgery, Department of General Surgery, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Siliguri, West Bengal 734012

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency inguinal hernia repair is difficult because of complications such as irreducibility, obstruction, or strangulation. The most common are the Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair and the modified Bassini repair, which is not well represented in any comparative data in emergency cases. This paper will draw a comparison between their effectiveness in a tertiary care setting. Methods and Materials: The study was a prospective randomized study and took place between May 2009 and April 2012 at a tertiary care centre and included 150 emergency inguinal hernia patients. The patients were divided at random into Lichtenstein (n=75) and modified Bassini (n=75) repair. Outcomes were operative time, hospital stay, wound complications (seroma, dehiscence, infection, mesh infection/rejection) and long term complications (neuralgia, recurrence). Analyses were conducted in SPSS version 20.0 (t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression, p<0.05 to determine significance). Results: The mean age was 52.3/14.7 years (Lichtenstein) and 53.1/15.2 years (Bassini) (p=0.72). The Lichtenstein group had a lower mean operative time (54.2 ±11.3 vs. 60.1 ±13.7 minutes, p=0.01), and hospital stay (3.8 ±1.9 vs. 5.2 ±2.4 days, p<0.01). The Lichtenstein group had less wound complications (8% vs. 16%, p=0.04), and no mesh infections. The Lichtenstein group had significantly lower incidences of neuralgia (4% vs. 12% p=0.03) and recurrence (0% vs. 6.7% p=0.02). Conclusions: Lichtenstein method is better in repairing inguinal hernia in an emergency with less operative time, hospital stay, complications and recurrence rates. Using it should be a preferable option where possible in an emergency environment.

Keywords:

Inguinal Hernia, Lichtenstein Repair, Modified Bassini Repair, Emergency Surgery

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Published

2025-09-02
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Vol. 16 No. 9 (2025): Volume16,Issue9

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Articles