Qazi Jalaluddin Ahmed, Mansoor Akhtar Gulfam, Nawaid Farooque Khan.
Darning versus Prosthetic Mesh repair in cases of inguinal hernia.
Pak J Surg Jan ;21(2):72-5.

Objective: To compare the results of Darning versus Mesh Repair in cases of Inguinal Hernia. Design & Duration: Prospective, comparative study over a span of 11 months i.e. from Feb. 2002 to Dec.2002. Setting: Department of General Surgery, K.V. SITE Hospital, Karachi. Patients: One hundred patients who underwent Inguinal Hernia repair. Methodology: All patients had a detailed history taken and thorough examination done, followed by relevant investigations. The patients were divided into two groups randomly, half i.e. 50 patients underwent repair by darning while the other 50 underwent repair with polypropylene mesh. The patients were followed for a minimum period of two years, and the outcome of both the procedures was compared on the basis of recurrence and other complications. Results: All the inguinal hernia patients were male with ages between 16 and 64 years, majority being in the 35- 45 years age group. In 20 patients the inguinal hernia was direct and in 13 patients it was complete. Assessment for post-operative pain with the help of a visual scale revealed mild pain in 44% patients with darning repair and 40% with mesh repair, while moderate pain was present in 14% patients with darning repair and 12% with mesh repair. Severe pain occurred in 2% patients in both the groups. Post-operative infection occurred in 12% patients with darning repair and 8% with mesh repair. Scrotal hematoma was seen in 6% patients with darning repair and 2% patients with mesh repair. Nerve entrapment neuralgia was seen in one patient operated by the darning method. Recurrence was only seen in one (2%) patient, who belonged to the darning group. Conclusion: Polypropylene mesh repair is better as it is associated with lower recurrence rate and complications.

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