Prospective randomized trial of polypropylene mesh compared with nylon darn in inguinal hernia repair

Background: The main aim of this study was to evaluate outcome in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair with either polypropylene mesh or ny lon darn. Methods: This was a randomized prospective trial of patients who underwent the procedure with follow-up at 1 week, 6 weeks and 1 year. Results: One hundred men underwent 105 repairs by consultant surgeons and r egistrars; there were 54 mesh and 51 nylon repairs. Demographics in both gr oups were similar at the start of the trial, as were the types of hernia. T he pain scores at 24, 48 and 72 h were similar, as was the duration of anal gesia requirement. There were no differences in early or late complications . Return to normal activity in each group was also similar, with a mean tim e of 5 weeks. The recurrence rate in both groups was comparable: 4 per cent after mesh repair and 4 per cent after darn repair at 1-year review. Conclusion: Open inguinal hernia repair with a nylon darn was equivalent to polypropylene mesh with respect to early measures of postoperative outcome and recurrence at 1 year.