Local anesthesia plus deep sedation for adult inguinal hernia repair in an ambulatory surgery center

Two hundred consecutive adult patients receiving Perfix mesh plugs and onlay mesh grafts for inguinal hernia repairs in an ambulatory surgery unit were studied between January 1996 and October 1997. Xylocaine and Marcaine were used for local anesthesia. Deep sedation was maintained with intravenous Propofol after induction with Versed and Fentanyl. Some patients received Brevital and most were given Toradol to prolong analgesia. Total operating room time averaged 45 minutes. Narcotic use for pain relief averaged 2 days, and the majority were driving their cars in 6 days. Local anesthesia plus intravenous deep sedation has excellent patient acceptance and enables rapid patient recovery from inguinal herniorrhaphy.