The Lichtenstein "tension free" operation for inguinal hernia

The authors present their experience with operations of 264 inguinal hernias in 238 subjects where Lichtenstein's technique was used. The principle of the operation is reconstruction of the posterior wall of the inguinal canal by means of a synthetic mesh-tension free. The attained results in this group (L) were compared with a control group of 68 operated patients (group C) where the classical McVaye technique was used. They did not find a difference in the time taken up by the operation or the time of hospitalization. The postoperative mortality was 0.4% in group L and 2.9% in group C, the morbidity was 15.5% and 42.6% resp. So far they did not record a case of relapsing hernia or rejection of the mesh. The operation is easy to perform, economically unpretentious, the postoperative pain is milder and the sensation of discomfort slighter than after the classical operation. With regard to the assembled experience, the authors recommend the new operation not only in inguinal but also other types of hernias where tension free repair is impossible. For reconstruction they use polyester mesh CHS 100 manufactured by the Hosiery Research Institute in Brno.