LICHTENSTEIN REPAIR UNDER LA VS. SA – EXPERIENCE AT BASE HOSPITAL-SRIKOT (2007-2017)

Introduction : This observational study aims to outline differences in early outcomes between patients undergoing Lichtenstein mesh hernioplasty under local vs. spinal anesthesia.

Methods : Records of 1200 patients undergone Lichtenstein repair electively in our unit from years 2007-17, with random allocation to the two groups (local vs. spinal anesthesia), were analysed.

Results : Among 438 patients operated under local anesthesia and 762 under spinal, most of early outcome parameters and immediate complication rates were comparable between both groups as also with national standards, but for need of shorter in-hospital stay, none of the complications of spinal anesthesia and occasional cases of urinary retention by some patients concurrently suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia and requiring foley catheterisation, among those operated under local anesthesia.

Conclusion : Our study affirms the observation that local anesthesia for Lichtenstein repair is superior to spinal, in terms of patient comfort and better outcomes in immediate post-operative period.