Lichtenstein repair for incarcerated groin hernias

Objective: To evaluate the use of Lichtenstein tension-free repair for incarcerated groin hernias. Design: Prospective consecutive series. Setting: Tertiary academic surgery department, Poland. Subjects: 27 patients whose incarcerated groin hernias were operated on between November 1997 and June 2001. Intervention: Tension-free hernia repair by the Lichtenstein technique. Main outcome measures: Morbidity, recurrence rates and mortality. Results: There were 2 postoperative deaths unrelated to implantation of the mesh (myocardial and cerebral infarction). In 1 patient a subcutaneous fluid collection was noted and was successfully treated by evacuation of the fluid. The remaining 24 patients had no complications during follow-up (mean 18 months, range 2-42 months). Conclusion: Monofilament polypropylene mesh can be successfully used not only in elective operations, but also in emergency operations for incarcerated inguinal hernias.