BACKGROUND: Lichtenstein hernia repair is gold standard in inguinal hernia surgeries, allowing a tension-free polypropylene mesh, low recurrence, wide applicability, easy teaching to young surgeons, early discharge and lower costs. AIM: A retrospective analysis was made using the results in the ambulatory surgery of primary inguinal hernias and recurrences, performing the Lichtenstein technique in a University Hospital. METHODS: From August of 1994 to December of 2001, 343 inguinal hemioplasties were performed in 326 patients with primary and recurrent inguinal hernias. Three hundred and four (88.6%) were male, with ages ranging between 19 to 85 years. Concomitant diseases were observed in 196 cases (60.1%), were hypertension, smoking and cardiopathy were predominant. Regarding the side of the hernias, 232 were on the right and 94 on the left side; seventeen male patients (7.3%) showed bilateral presentation. Among the 38 (11.1%) recurrent hernias, 27 were on the right side. The classic Lichtenstein technique was indicated in all, using polypropylene mesh, of 15 x 7.5 cm. RESULTS: Local anesthesia was the first choice in 55.9% of cases. Anesthetist intervention and the conversion of the local anesthesia for general was necessary in only one case (0.3%). Four patients needed single day hospital admissions. Early local complications were of seroma: 15 cases; superficial infection of operative wound: 11 (3.3%); hematoma: 5 cases and venous thrombosis of the spermatic cord : 2 cases. After a five year follow-up, hernia recurrences were observed in three cases (0.87%). CONCLUSION: The technique revealed to be of easy application, could be performed under local anesthesia and as an outpatient, with low rates of complications and recurrences. It also allowed students and residents to learn the technique, as well as to attend to such demanding and frequent disease in daily clinics.
Inguinal hernia; Lichtenstein technique; Ambulatory surgery