Human fibrin glue sealing versus suture polypropylene fixation in Lichtenstein inguinal herniorrhaphy: a prospective observational study.

Background: Patients who underwent primary inguinal hernia repair still report a high rate of postoperative pain after operation due to the effect of mesh fixation by suture.An alternative is the use of human fibrin glue. We compared the two techniques.

Methods: 468 patients randomly underwent primary inguinal hernia Lichtenstein repair fixing the mesh by suture or by human fibrin glue (HFG); in both cases the mesh was fixed to the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and to the inguinal ligament.

Results: No significant differences were recorded between the two groups in terms of complications, while the sutureless technique reduces the operative time and the postoperative pain.

Conclusions: A widespread technique for the treatment of inguinal hernia is the application of a mesh using Lichtenstein procedure. The prosthesis can be fixed by traditional suture or using a new method of sutureless fixation with adhesive materials that shows an excellent local tolerability and lack of adverse effects and contraindications.