Prosthetic Management of Inguinal Hernias Using the Lichtenstein Technique in 100 Cases

Introduction: There has always been a plethora of hernia repairs in the absence of consensus. Techniques described as ancient, such as the Bassini, Mac Vay or Shouldice procedures, are still widely practised. Aponeurotic plasty has proved its worth in our practice. Prosthetic plasty, which has reduced recurrence by half, has become the gold standard. The aim of this study was to report on the feasibility of prosthetic management of inguinal hernias using the Lichtenstein technique. Material and method: This was a prospective fifteen (15)-month study: from July 1, 2022 to September 30, 2023. Study variables were sociodemographic, clinical and therapeutic. Results: During the study period, 173 patients underwent surgery for inguinal hernia. We noted one hundred (100) patients operated on according to the Lichtenstein procedure, i.e. 58% of all patients operated on for inguinal hernias in the department. We noted 98 men and 02 women. The mean age was 48.8 years (extremes: 20-91). The category of heavy laborer (laborer, farmer, etc....) accounted for % of cases. The hernia was exclusively right in 9 cases, left in 21 and bilateral in 10. A strangulated hernia was present in 9 patients. NYHUS classification was dominated by type IIIA (38.9%). Therapeutically, spinal anesthesia was the most common treatment: 8 cases. 40% of patients were pain-free in the immediate post-operative period, according to the analogue pain scale. The main complications were chronic pain in 10 patients and seroma in 02. After a minimum follow-up of three months for each patient, we noted no recurrence. Conclusion. The Lichtenstein technique is a relatively new procedure in our practice. Today, it is the technique of choice, with little postoperative morbidity.