COMPARISON OF LOCAL VERSUS SPINAL ANAESTHESIA IN INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR

Abstract

Background: To determine whether local anaesthetic technique is an acceptable alternative to spinal anaesthesia for hernia repair, especially with regards to operative conditions, postoperative pain relief and complications.

Methods: This was a prospective randomized clinical study consisting of 100 patients. The patients posted for tension free lichtenstein elective hernioplasty were allocated to either of two groups, group A (n=50) were given local anaesthesia and patients in group B (n=50) were given spinal anaesthesia.

Results: There was no demographic difference between the two groups. Time taken in local anesthesia was higher than spinal anesthesia. Intraoperative pain was higher in local anesthesia than spinal anesthesia.

Conclusions: We concluded that local anaesthesia can be a preferred method in day-case hernia surgeries owing to its advantages of ease of administration and less complications.

Keywords: Day-case surgery, Inguinal hernia, Local anaesthesia, Spinal anaesthesia