LOCAL VERSUS GENERAL-ANESTHESIA FOR SHOULDICE REPAIR OF THE INGUINAL-HERNIA

Since February 1992 local anesthesia (LA) has been used routinely for repair of inguinal hernias at our surgical department. All patients un dergoing Shouldice repair of primary uncomplicated inguinal hernia bet ween January 1990 and March 1993 were analyzed retrospectively concern ing the need for analgesics, length of stay in hospital, and rate of c omplications. In addition 50 patients after LA and 50 patients after g eneral anesthesia underwent prospective pain analysis using a visual a nalogous score and spirometric tests (FEV, and peak pow). After LA we found less need of analgesics, shorter hospital stays, and fewer compl ications. The pain level was lower, and ventilatory function was less affected. Repair of the inguinal hernia using LA is a safe method to l ower the risk of the operation and to improve the patient's comfort wi thout increasing complications.