Abstract: Background: The Desarda technique of inguinal hernia repair which was introduced in 2001, is still not accepted widely as a standard tissue based hernia repair technique. In our study we compared Desarda’s pure tissue based technique with standard Lichtenstein repair in treatment of primary inguinal hernia.
Methods: 187 cases were allocated into 2 groups. Desarda-Group had 92 and Lichtenstein-Group had 95 patients. Primary outcome factor was early (<1 year) recurrence of inguinal hernia. Secondary outcome factors included operative time measured from skin incision to skin closure. Postoperative pain scores were assessed using Visual analogue scale. Time taken to return to basic and home activities was calculated. Cord oedema, groin discomfort, seroma, fever, surgical site infections, chronic pain, etc. were evaluated as postoperative complications.
Results: After a 15-month mean follow up period 1 recurrence is noted in each arm (P=1). Operative time was 73.89 ± 12.63 min in Lichtenstein and 72.60 ± 13.89 min in desarda repair (P=0.508). Postoperative pain was signiï¬cantly less in the ï¬rst 7 post-operative days in Desarda group (P=0.09) compared to Lichtenstein group. Time taken to return to basic and home activities was signiï¬cantly less in Desarda group (P = 0.001). There was no statistical difference in rates of post-operative complications among the two arms of the study.
Conclusion: The results of inguinal hernia treatment with the Desarda technique are similar to the results after standard Lichtenstein operations. Desarda technique does not use a mesh. Patients after Desarda's operative procedure get ambulatory sooner as compared to the standard Lichtenstein mesh repair. Less Postoperative pain, complications similar to standardised technique. Desarda technique has the potential to enlarge the number of tissue based methods available to treat groin hernias.
