Postoperative outcomes using Lichtenstein open hernioplasty versus Nyhus preperitoneal hernioplasty in inguinal...

Inguinal hernia is the most common defect of the abdominal wall in 75% and their treatment consists of surgical repair. The technique of choice is laparoscopic because of its overall benefits. However, when this is not available, open approaches may be a viable option. Currently, the most commonly used open techniques are Lichtenstein and Nyhus. However, there are few medium- or long-term studies that have compared outcomes between these two techniques.

This is a retrospective comparative study that included patients undergoing open inguinal hernia correction with mesh, using Lichtenstein open hernioplasty versus Nyhus preperitoneal hernioplasty, in two tertiary referral centers in Bogota, Colombia, during a period of 2 years. A bivariate analysis was performed to compare groups, according to the complications presented between the two techniques.

A total of 193 patients were included, of whom 53.36% were men and 112 (58.03%) were approached with the Nyhus technique versus 81 patients with the Lichtenstein technique. Nonabsorbable suture fixation was performed in 100% of patients. Among the main complications, seroma (5.18%), pain (4.14%), bleeding (2.07%), recurrence (10.88%), and reoperation (0.51%) were observed, of which only recurrence showed a statistically significant difference, which is lower in the Nyhus approach (3.57% vs. 20.67%; p < 0.001). No patients died.

Both Nyhus and Lichtenstein hernioplasty techniques were shown to cause a low incidence of postoperative complications, with significantly lower recurrence using the Nyhus technique up to 1 year postoperatively.