Jun Yang1, Da Nian Tong, Jing Yao, Wei Chen. 1. Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is no clear answer regarding the use of laparoscopic techniques versus the Lichtenstein method for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopy versus the Lichtenstein repair by a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index updated to May 2012, were searched. The main outcome measures were wound infections and haematoma, urinary retention, post-operative chronic pain and recurrence. A meta-analysis of included RCTs was performed. RESULTS: Five RCTs, comprising a total of 427 patients, were included. Although most of the analysed outcomes were similar between groups, wound infection rates and post-operative chronic pain occurred less frequently in the laparoscopic group than in the Lichtenstein group (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.97; P = 0.05; odds ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.68; P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia is superior to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty in some aspects that affect patient satisfaction.
BACKGROUND: There is no clear answer regarding the use of laparoscopic techniques versus the Lichtenstein method for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopy versus the Lichtenstein repair by a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: Databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and the Science Citation Index updated to May 2012, were searched. The main outcome measures were wound infections and haematoma, urinary retention, post-operative chronic pain and recurrence. A meta-analysis of included RCTs was performed. RESULTS: Five RCTs, comprising a total of 427 patients, were included. Although most of the analysed outcomes were similar between groups, wound infection rates and post-operative chronic pain occurred less frequently in the laparoscopic group than in the Lichtenstein group (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.08-0.97; P = 0.05; odds ratio: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.17-0.68; P = 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia is superior to the Lichtenstein hernioplasty in some aspects that affect patient satisfaction.