Lichtenstein hernioplasty for groin hernia in central Africa

Abstract

Background: Herniorraphy is a common surgical procedure in our surgical practice in Cameroon. A study was conducted in The General Hospital of Yaoundé, to assess Lichtenstein hernioplasty technique, among other hernioplasties.

Materials and methods: Fourteen patients were studied, in a retrospective study of 9 years (1996 to 2005) in A General Hospital in Yaounde Cameroon, Central African. All the patients benefited from a tension-free repair using a surgical mesh of polyglactin 910 (vicril*) under local anesthesia. This technique was applied for simple inguinal hernias, bilateral hernia and recurrent hernia.

Results: The time of surgery varied from 35 minutes to 140 minutes. Three complications were noted including one hematoma, one scrotal oedema and one crural neuralgia; 9 patients out of 14 were followed up closely for 9 years; no recurrence was noted.

Conclusion: We therefore recommend the technique of the Lichtenstein in the repair of the groin hernia, in association to local anaesthesia in Cameroon.

Keywords: groin hernia, hernioplasty, surgical mesh, Lichtenstein technique

Nigerian Journal of Surgical Research Vol. 7(3&4) 2005: 315-317