Inguinal herniorrhaphy under local anaesthesia and spinal anaesthesia--a comparative study.

A prospective study was conducted at JIPMER, Pondicherry from September 1993 to June 1995. Fifty cases of inguinal herniorrhaphy were done under local anaesthesia (LA) and 60 cases under spinal anaesthesia (SA). The aim was to assess the safety and efficacy of inguinal herniorrhaphy under LA. The parameters studied were: (i) Efficacy of the anaesthesia, (ii) safety and postoperative course, and (iii) patient satisfaction. The LA group patients had better postoperative analgesia and earlier return to ambulation. They did not suffer the postspinal complications of headache and urinary retention. However, intra-operative discomfort was significantly more in this group compared to the SA group.