Day-case surgery for inguinal hernia: Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia performed by surgical residents.

Background: Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair with local anesthesia as a day-case surgery is one of aspects of education in inguinal hernia surgery as a surgical training program. In this study, we aimed to present these surgery performed by residents. Methods: Forty years and older male patients diagnosed as primary inguinal hernia were included prospectively between June 2009 and March 2011. Surgical outcomes with respect to recurrence and chronic postoperative pain were studied.Results: There were 151 patients with a mean age of 55.7±10.8. Intraoperative evaluation revealed direct in 84 (55.6%), indirect in 58 (38.4%) and combined hernia in 9 (6.0%). Mean operation time was 51.2±13.2 minutes which was significantly higher in obese patients (p<0.05). Patients were discharged at postoperatively 8 hours or less in 143 (94.7%). Most of the patients (90.7%) were reported to choose local anesthesia again. Eleven and four patients reported pain scores of 0.23±0.7 (range 0-4) and 0.07±0.4 (range 0-3) at 6th and 12th month evaluations, respectively. At the postoperative 1st day, 137 (90.7%) patients could return to daily activities. There were 28 (18.5%) hematoma and seroma formation, and 18 (11.9%) wound infection. There was no mesh reaction; however, 2 (1.3%) recurrences were detected after one year of the operation. Conclusions: Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia as a day case surgery should be chosen as a primary treatment method, and can be performed by surgical residents under supervision in a safe manner