PERIOPERATIVE OUTCOME FOR DAY-CASE LAPAROSCOPIC AND OPEN INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

This study documents the results obtained in 30 day patients undergoin g open hernia repair under local infiltration block with patient-contr olled sedation (group A) and 29 day patients undergoing laparoscopic h ernia repair under general anaesthesia (group B). The mean operating t ime was less in group) A (44.8 min) compared with group B (66.6 min) ( p < 0.0001). Similarly, stage 1 recovery room times were longer in gro up B (98.1 min) than group A (45.1 min) (p < 0.0001). Time to discharg e for group A (139.1 min) was significantly shorter than group B (224. 2 min) (p < 0.002), with more peri-operative complications occurring i n group B and greater analgesic requirements. An open inguinal hernia repair under local infiltration block is the optimal approach for unil ateral non-recurrent herniae as a day surgical procedure. These result s have important cost and efficiency implications.