Hernia : the journal of hernias and abdominal wall surgery
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
Comparison of polypropylene versus polyester mesh in the Lichtenstein hernia repair with respect to chronic pain and discomfort.
Inguinal hernias are the most common operative procedure performed by general surgeons, and tension-free mesh techniques have revolutionized the procedure. While hernia recurrence rates have decreased, chronic postoperative pain has become recognized more widely. New mesh products offer the potential to decrease pain without compromising recurrence rates. Polyester mesh is a softer material than traditional polypropylene and may offer the benefit of causing less postoperative pain and improved quality of life. ⋯ Polyester mesh does not decrease the amount of chronic pain at 3 months. Outcomes with polyester mesh are comparable to polypropylene mesh for Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair with regards to postoperative pain and quality of life. The sample size in this study was small and limits the significance of the results. Further studies are needed to find the optimal mesh for inguinal hernia repair.