[Early results of transversalis-plasty. A prospective randomized comparison of non-resorbable and resorbable sutures]

In a prospective randomized trial we analyzed the perioperative management, complications, and the recurrence rate of inguinal hernia repair using either resorbable (polydioxanone, PDS) or non-absorbable (polyamide, Ethilon) suture material. From January 1988 to June 1989, 484 consecutive transversalis fascia repairs were performed in 425 adult patients with inguinal or femoral hernia. Local anaesthesia was used in 273 cases. At least one year postoperatively, 390 patients with 445 repairs had a clinical follow-up. The recurrence rate after 360 primary herniae was 3.3% (Ethilon 2.3%, PDS 4.3%) while 5.9% rerecurrences were found following operation for recurrent hernia (Ethilon 2.5%, PDS 8.9%). The differences in the recurrence rates following the use of polyamide or polydioxanone were not statistically significant. Complications occurred in 5.2%. The postoperative hospital stay averaged 3.8 days and work was resumed after a mean of 3.9 weeks.