INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR - A COMPARISON BETWEEN LOCAL AND GENERAL-ANESTHESIA

Background: A comparative analysis of outcomes of inguinal hernia repa ir performed under local (LA) and general anaesthesia (GA) by a single surgeon using a standardized technique of anterior transversalis repa ir was performed. Ninety-three cases were examined, 56 of which were c ases of LA hernia repair. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the pat ient hospital record was performed with particular attention to intra- operative and postoperative analgesia requirements. Results: An overal l series complication rate of 6.5% (6/93) is reported. Only one of 56 LA patients (2%) required more than 24 h of narcotic analgesic injecti ons compared to 11% (4/37) in the GA group (P < 0.05). The mean total postoperative parenteral narcotic requirement in the LA group was 86 /- 14 mg of pethidine as compared to the GA group who had a mean total requirement of 121 +/- 17 mg of pethidine (P > 0.08). Conclusions: Th e LA infiltration technique is an effective method for inguinal hernia repair. This series demonstrates benefits in terms of length of hospi tal stay and a lower incidence of postoperative parenteral narcotic an algesic requirement although when postoperative parenteral narcotics w ere required by the LA group of patients, the difference in mean total pethidine requirement was not statistically significant.