We read with great interest the study by Kingsnorth and coworkers.
1
They compared the Lichtenstein patch repair with a PerFix plug-and-patch inguinal
hernia repair method. We use both techniques
2
,
3
and therefore have some remarks. The small difference in outcome as measured by the
SF36 score will only be detectable (if assuming an adequate power analysis) if the
number in the treatment groups is 500 or more patients, respectively. Furthermore,
considering the rare event of wound infection or recurrence rate for these 2 techniques,
as known from the literature
4
,
5
,
6
,
7
even bigger trials are necessary to provide convincing evidence for the advantages
of one of these methods. Therefore we conclude that such a trial in the current health
care setting is not feasible.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- Lichtenstein patch or PerFix plug-and-patch in inguinal hernia: a prospective double-blind randomized controlled trial of short-term outcome.Surgery. 2000; 127: 276-283
- Critical scrutiny of the open “tension-free” hernioplasty.Am J Surg. 1993; 165: 369-371
- The mesh-plug hernioplasty.Surg Clin North Am. 1993; 73: 501-512
- The Lichtenstein open “tension-free” mesh repair of inguinal hernias.Rozhl Chir. 1995; 74: 296-301
- A survey of non-expert surgeons using the open tension-free mesh patch repair for primary inguinal hernias.Int Surg. 1995; 80: 35-36
- The mesh plug technique for recurrent groin herniorrhaphy: a nine-year experience of 407 repairs.Surgery. 1998; 124: 844-847
- The Marlex mesh PerFix plug groin hernioplasty.Eur J Surg. 1998; 164: 549-552
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Copyright
© 2000 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
