Objective
To evaluate outcome and tolerance of elective inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia among Jordanian patients.
Patients and Methods
This prospective study included 72 (70 male and 2female) patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia from June 2008 to June 2010 at our hospital. Ages ranged from 18 to84 years (mean 60). Concomitant diseases were present in 16 (22.2%) patients.
Results
Out of 72 patients, 60 (83.3%) denied any discomfort during operation. Five patients (7%) experienced mild discomfort which was tolerable, but no actual pain. Four patients (5.5%) had slight pain which settled with further sedation and local anesthetic infiltration, allowing uneventful completion of the procedure. Three (4.2%) required conversion to general anesthesia due to anxiety. Mean volume of local anesthetic solution used was 50 ml (range 30-90). Overall morbidity was 12.5%. Mean duration of post-operative analgesia was 8.8 hours (2 to 24 hours). During the follow-up period none of the patients developed recurrence.
Conclusions
Local anesthesia was safe, simple, effective and economical, without post anesthesia side effects. In elderly patients with co morbidities, local anesthesia might be the best in order to avoid the increased risks of general anesthesia. (Rawal Med J 2011;36:120-122).
Key words: Inguinal hernia, lidocaine, bupivacaine.
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