Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Hernias are among the oldest known affliction of humankind and the repair of inguinal hernias dates back to the birth of civilization. The present study was conducted to compare Lichtenstein and Rutkow–Robbins method of hernia repair. Materials & Methods: 40 patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair were divided into 2 groups of 20 each. Group I were managed with Lichtenstein operation and group II with Rutkow–Robbins method. Patients were recalled for drain placement, early and late complications, and recurrence rates. Preoperative pains of the cases were assessed at 1, 7, and 1 month with visual analog scale. Results: The mean hospital stay was 2.1 days in group I and 2.8 days in group II, drain were 3 in group I and 1 in group II, early complications were seen in 2 in group I and 5 in group II and late complications were among 4 in group I and 3 in group II. The mean VAS score on day 1 in group I was 1.60 and in group II was 1.94, on 7 days was 0.72 in group I and 0.86 in group II and on 1 month was 0.17 in group I and 0.09 in group II. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion: Lichtenstein operation is more advantageous than Rutkow–Robbins onlay method of inguinal hernia repair.