This is the Scientific Surgery Archive, which contains all randomized clinical trials in surgery that have been identified by searching the top 50 English language medical journal issues since January 1998. Compiled by Jonothan J. Earnshaw, former Editor-in-Chief, BJS
Randomized clinical trial of self‐gripping mesh versus sutured mesh for Lichtenstein hernia repair. BJS 2013; 100: 474-481.
Published: 30th November 2012
Authors: L. N. Jorgensen, T. Sommer, S. Assaadzadeh, L. Strand, A. Dorfelt, M. Hensler et al.
Background
Many patients develop discomfort after open repair of a groin hernia. It was hypothesized that suture fixation of the mesh is a cause of these symptoms.
Method
This patient‐ and assessor‐blinded randomized multicentre clinical trial compared a self‐gripping mesh (Parietene Progrip®) and sutured mesh for open primary repair of uncomplicated inguinal hernia by the Lichtenstein technique. Patients were assessed before surgery, on the day of operation, and at 1 and 12 months after surgery. The primary endpoint was moderate or severe symptoms after 12 months, including a combination of chronic pain, numbness and discomfort.
Results
The intention‐to‐treat population comprised 163 patients with self‐gripping mesh and 171 with sutured mesh. The 12‐month prevalence of moderate or severe symptoms was 17·4 and 20·2 per cent respectively (P = 0·573). There were no significant differences between the groups in postoperative complications (33·7 versus 40·4 per cent; P = 0·215), rate of recurrent hernia within 1 year (1·2 per cent in both groups) or quality of life.
Conclusion
The avoidance of suture fixation using a self‐gripping mesh was not accompanied by a reduction in chronic symptoms after inguinal hernia repair. Registration number: NCT00815698 (