Comparison of Local, Spinal and General Anesthesia for Inguinal Herniorrhaphy
Abstract
Background : Local anesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy can decrease the length of hospital stay, and cost. These advantages make local anesthesia suitable for the hospital that limited of beds and lacking of budget
Objective : To compare local, spinal and general anesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy in otherwise healthy patients with respect to duration of operation, postoperative pain, complication, length of hospital stay and costs
Study design : Prospective randomized clinical trial
Setting : Department of surgery, Kalasin hospital
Materials and Methods : One hundred twenty men who had elective repair of unilateral primary inguinal hernia at this hospital during January 2003 to december 2007. These patients were divided into three groups equally. Group 1 of patients were operated by local anesthesia. Group 2 were operated by spinal anesthesia. Group 3 were operated by general anesthesia. Three groups were operated by the same surgeon. Duration of operation, postoperative pain, complication, length of hospital stay and costs were recorded
Result : There was no difference in the median duration of operation in all groups
(P ≤ 0.01). Group 1 and group 2 had lower pain scores than group 3 significantly (p > 0.05). One patients in group 3 had wound hematoma. Nausea occured in group 3 more than group 1 significantly (p ≤ 0.05). Group 2 had urinary retention more than group 1 significantly (p ≤ 0.05). The length of hospital stay and costs in group 1 was less than group 2, 3 significantly (p ≤ 0.05)
Conclusion : In the otherwise healthy patients undergoing inguinal herniorrhaphy, local anesthesia is more comfort and convenience for day case surgery with slightly fewer post operative pain, complication, length of hospital stay and costs
Key words ; Inguinal herniorrhaphy, Local anesthesia, Day case surgery
