Randomized trial of three types of repair used in 324 consecutive operations of hernia. a study of the frequency of recurrence
Strand, L.
Ugeskrift for Laeger 160(7): 1010-1013
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0041-5782 PMID: 9477750 Document Number: 486482
In order to assess the recurrence-rate of the commonly used repairs of inguinal hernia: Bassini, McVay and Shouldice, 324 consecutive non-recurrence hernias were randomly allocated to one of those repairs. The age range 18-65 years. Ninety-six percent of the operations were carried out by the author. After a median observation-period of 32 months (range 5-75), ten recurrences had occurred, two Bassini, four McVay and four Shouldice, showing no significant differences in recurrence rate between the three types of repair. All recurrences were re-operated, five of them suffered a second recurrence. Other complications occurred in 36 patients (11%). With extensive training, low recurrence-rates can be achieved with any of the above-mentioned repairs. It is recommended that herniasurgery be centralised, and that other outcome-measures than recurrence be scrutinized as well.