Usha Rani Dalal*, Ashwani Kumar Dalal, Aggarwal Sarthak, Twinkle Dalal and Tirushi Jain
Aim
Inguinal hernias are a common condition that often requires surgical repair, with various techniques available for treatment. The Prolene Hernia System (PHS) and Lichtenstein hernioplasty are two commonly used methods, each with distinct approaches. This study aims to compare these two techniques to assess key clinical outcomes such as postoperative pain, seroma formation, Foreign Body Sensation (FBS), recurrence rates and infection.
Materials and Methods
A total of 51 male patients from the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh, were randomly assigned to undergo either PHS or Lichtenstein hernioplasty. Outcomes such as postoperative pain, seroma formation, FBS, recurrence rates and infection were monitored over a 3-month follow-up period.
Results
Patients in the PHS group experienced significantly less pain by day 3 post-surgery compared to the Lichtenstein group, although pain levels were similar by day 7. Seroma formation was slightly more frequent in the PHS group 16% compared to the Lichtenstein group 7.7%, but this difference was not statistically significant. FBS was marginally lower in the PHS group 4% than in the Lichtenstein group 7.7%. There were no recurrences or infections in either group during the 3-month follow-up period.
Conclusion
The Prolene Hernia System may offer advantages in terms of reduced early postoperative pain and lower foreign body sensation, but both techniques are equally effective in preventing hernia recurrence in the short term. The higher incidence of seroma formation with PHS suggests the need for further investigation. Larger studies with extended follow-up are recommended to determine whether PHS provides significant long-term benefits compared to Lichtenstein hernioplasty.
