Lichtenstein patch or Perfix plug-and-patch in inguinal hernia: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial of short-term outcome.

BACKGROUND Open mesh used in anterior inguinal hernia repair can be configured as a flat patch (Lichtenstein operation) or as a cone-shaped preformed plug and supplementary patch (plug-and-patch operation; Perfix Plug; Davol Inc, Cranston, RI). METHODS One hundred forty-one patients were randomly allocated and blinded to receive either a Lichtenstein patch or a Perfix plug-and-patch. Information before the operation and on postoperative days 3 and 14 was recorded by an independent blinded observer to include operating time, postoperative pain, analgesic medication, return to activity and work, and quality of life assessment. RESULTS Operating time (32 vs 37.6 minutes) was significantly shorter in the plug-and-patch group (P = .01). During days 1 through 8, patients who had undergone the plug-and-patch operation experienced less pain, and their physical functioning on day 3 was significantly better (P = .013). Days of analgesic medication (4.0 vs 4.6 days), return to normal activity (2.8 vs 3.6 days), return to work (17.0 vs 20.8 days), and total days of work missed (14.3 vs 16.1 days) were similar in both groups (P = NS for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS Compared with patients who received the Lichtenstein patch for ambulatory inguinal hernia repair, patients who underwent the Perfix plug-and-patch operation experienced less postoperative pain in the first 8 days after the operation but consumed similar postoperative analgesic medication. The rate of return to normal activity and work is similar in both groups, which indicates no superiority for the plug-and-patch operation in overall rehabilitation and societal costs. Overall hospital costs are greater for the plug-and-patch operation ($120 [US]) compared with the Lichtenstein patch ($20 [US]), with a negligible (5.6 minutes) saving of operating room time for the plug-and-patch operation.