Comparative study of Lichtenstein and darn repair surgery in obstructed hernia repair.

Abstract

Objective: To compare postoperative outcomes between Lichtenstein and Darns repairs in obstructed inguinal hernias. Study Design: Prospective quasi-experimental study. Setting: General Surgery Department, Arif Memorial Teaching Hospital. Period: September 2023 to February 2024. Methods: Sixty patients with obstructed inguinal hernia were recruited through non-probability purposive sampling and non-randomized into two groups of 30 each. Group 1 underwent Lichtenstein repair, while Group 2 underwent Darn repair. Postoperative pain, wound infection, seroma formation, and recurrence were assessed over a 6-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, applying independent t-tests and likelihood ratio tests, with p ≤ 0.05 considered significant. Results: The mean age was 43.5 ± 11.6 years in the Lichtenstein group and 42.8 ± 10.4 years in the Darn group (p = 0.797). Seroma formation was noted in 13.3% of Lichtenstein versus 23.3% of Darn repairs, postoperative pain in 36.7% versus 46.7%, and wound infection in 10% versus 16.7%. No recurrences were observed during follow-up. None of the outcome differences were statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Lichtenstein and Darn repairs demonstrated comparable short-term outcomes in obstructed inguinal hernia. Lichtenstein repair remains preferable where mesh is available, while Darn repair provides a suitable alternative in settings with limited resources.