Pain after Kugel versus Lichtenstein repair: a randomized trial.

The open preperitoneal approach in inguinal hernia repair, like the Kugel procedure, might have the benefit of a mesh in the preferred space without the disadvantages of an endoscopic procedure. Therefore, a total of 172 patients with primary inguinal hernia was randomised to undergo either the standard procedure of Lichtenstein or Kugel hernioplasty. Primary endpoint was pain three months postoperatively, as persistent chronic pain is the most prominent complication of inguinal hernia repair. Other collected data included visual analogue scale pain scores and consumed analgesics during the first two weeks postoperatively, identification nerves in the operative field, neurological examination at three months, pain description by the patient and Pain Disability Index score.

The open preperitoneal approach in inguinal hernia repair might have the benefit of a mesh in the preferred space without the disadvantages of an endoscopic procedure.

N/A

The Lichtenstein procedure and the Kugel procedure for inguinal hernias.