Comparison of Desarda versus Modified Bassini inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized controlled trial

Background : Although the tension free inguinal hernia repair with a mesh is the standard technique in many developed countries, its use has remained low in the developing world due to the initial cost of the mesh. The most commonly used method in Mulago hospital is modified Bassini. The main aim of this study was to compare the short-term out come of Desarda’s versus modified Bassini inguinal hernia repair.
Methods :One hundred and eight patients each with a unilateral, primary, reducible inguinal hernia were recruited through the surgical out patients department. Patients were randomly assigned to either the Desarda’s or Modified Bassini inguinal hernia repair. Postoperative pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale 1 to 2 hours after the operation, on the 3rd post operative day (POD) and again on the 7th POD. The gait was assessed on the 7th POD for all the patients and again on the 14th POD for those patients who had not attained their normal gait or had any postoperative wound complications on the 7th POD.
Results : Of the 108 patients recruited, 88 (81%) were male and 20(19%) female. 3 patients were lost to follow up and 1 had an emergency laparotomy. The mean POD for resumption of normal gait was 3.62 for both methods. There was no statistically significant difference between the days of resumption of normal gait between the two methods (p-value = 0.94). There were no major complications using either of the two methods. There was no statistically significant difference between the two methods as regards the postoperative pain patterns 2 hours postoperative, on 3rd POD and on the 7th POD.
Conclusion : There is no difference in short-term outcome between Desarda and modified Bassini inguinal hernia repair as regards resumption of normal gait and patterns of pain.