Comparison between Lichtenstein and Prolene Hernia System (PHS) in Anterior Tension-Free, Inguinal & Femoral Hernioplasty

Purpose: The aim of this study was to see if there are any differences in the post-surgical outcomes between 2 tension- free hernioplasty methods. Methods: We selected those patients with unilateral, bilateral inguinal hernias and femoral hernias who had undergone Lichtenstein n=224) and PHS (n=62) mesh hernioplasty at the Pundang Jaesang Hospital, Department of Surgery, between January 2000 and February 2004, and compared the post-surgical results of each method. The factors analyzed for this comparative study included the patient's age, gender, operation time, length of hospital stay, use of analgesics, cost and recurrences. Results: The results from the statistic showed significant differences between the 2 methods with respect to postoperative pain, cost, duration of hospital stay and recurrences. Conclusion: The PHS hernioplasty is a superior method to that of Lichtenstein's herni-oplasty in terms of hospital stay, operation time, postoperative pain & recurrences. (J Korean Surg Soc 2006;71:39-42)