Results of the simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair by the Lichtenstein technique.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the results of bilateral inguinal hernia repairs by the Lichtenstein technique. METHODS We studied the charts of 59 patients who underwent elective simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair between 2003 and 2007. We analyzed: gender, age, weight, operative time, length of hospital stay, Nyhus classification, complications in the immediate and late postoperative periods, and recurrence. These data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS Of the 59 patients, 95% were men. Age ranged from 40 to 60 years; weight, from 50 to 103 kg; operative time, from 60 to 80 minutes; and the length of stay, from one to six days. Thirty patients had type IIIB hernias; nine, type II; ten, type IIIA; seven, type IV; one, type II on the left and type IIIB on the right; one, type IIIA on the right and IIIB on the left; and one, type IIIA on the right and type II on the left. In the immediate postoperative period, pain was the most important manifestation, in 30.5% of subjects. In 94.92% of cases there were no complications. There were two cases of inguinodinia and one of burning pain in the surgical site. There was one recurrence 29 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair by Lichtenstein technique was safe and effective, with a low rate of complications, short hospital stay, and only one case of recurrence at an average of 48 months follow-up.