2004, Number 4
Post-operative incapacity in tension-free inguinal repairs
Suárez FD, Mayagoitia GJC, Cisneros MHA, García MR
Full text
Language: Spanish
References: 13
Page: 275-280
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ABSTRACT
Objective: To assess the incapacity period required by patients after tension-free inguinal plasties.Setting: Third level health care hospital.
Design: Pilot, prospective, blind, study.
Methods: Forty-one tension-free inguinal hernia surgeries were performed, using Mesh-Plug and Lichtenstein techniques, by three surgeons who were assigned randomly to the surgery, procedures were performed under regional anesthesia. Patients were summoned on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after surgery, and were then assessed by a rehabilitation specialist who did not know (blind) which surgeon and what technique had been used. Analyzed variables were: self-care, get off the bed, walk, dress, how to perform job activities, goniometric tests of hip motility, and pain assessment on an analogical scale: a paracetamol dose of 30 mg/ kg was administered daily to all patients. Statistical descriptive tests were used, Kruskal-Wallis and Student’s t tests.
Results: We found that the groups were balanced and comparable, there were no statistical differences at 3 days after surgery; at 7 days, the tendency indicated that the Mesh-Plug group recovered faster and almost completely at 14 days, whereas the Lichtenstein technique group required a longer period, up to 21 days. There was more pain in the Mesh-Plug group during the first 3 days, but it almost disappeared on day 14, whereas the other group had less pain but it persisted until day 21.
Conclusion: The optimal incapacity time with the Mesh-Plug technique is of 14 days and with the Lichtenstein technique it is of 21 days.
REFERENCES