Inguinal hernia repair: a comparison between PHS® and Lichtenstein's tension free techniques

Lichtestein’ technique is worldwide accepted as a reference in the hernia repair for its demonstrated advantages. Polipropilene hernia system (PHS®) provides additional benefits, which it would reduce still more recurrences in this frequent pathology. This is a descriptive, retrospective and comparative study of both surgical techniques in 79 patients treated at the Surgical Department of the Hospital Militar Dr. Carlos Arvelo, Caracas, between December 2004 and March 2006. There were repaired 35 hernias with PHS® (7 bilateral), and 59 hernias by Lichtestein’ technique (8 bilateral). We analyzed age, gender, psicobiologic habits, comorbids, type of anesthesia, surgical time, hospital stay and complications. We didn’t find statistical differences between both techniques. PHS® is a safe and reproducible procedure, with a short learning curve. It also reinforces the myopectin orifice, for what we recommend as an alternative in the repair of groin hernias.