Surgical options in inguinal hernia: Which is the best

Background: Inguinal hernia repair in men is one of the most common operations in general surgery. Techniques of surgical repair include open suture, open mesh and laparoscopic techniques. Successful hernia surgery is a series of minimums, specifically minimum risk of surgery and anesthesia, minimum tissue trauma, confinement, complications, cost, disability and recurrence. The most effective surgical treatment is unknown. Materials and Methods: A systemic review of relevant articles on surgical repair of inguinal hernia from National Library of Medicine’s Pubmed database along with other available literatures, helped in this review. Conclusion: The recurrence rate from open suture repair may be unacceptably high and postoperative pain and disability is frequent. While the recurrence rate is substantially low with the use of synthetic mesh by both open and laparoscopic method persistent groin pain was a problem though less common following laparoscopic mesh placement. However, laparoscopic repair carry the drawback of a long learning curve (mainly due to unfamiliarity with the pre-peritoneal anatomy), use of general anesthesia, more operative time, cost and some serious though infrequent complications. Having virtually no advantage for adult patients, in the modern day practice open suture repair of inguinal hernia has literally been consigned to the pages of history. It is only recommendable in the repairs of pediatric hernias. The results of mesh repair, both open and laparoscopic are encouraging.