A comparison between tumescent local anesthesia and spinal anesthesia in inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare tumescent local anesthesia with spinal anesthesia in inguinal hernia repair.
Subjects and methods : Subjects were 27 lesions of 25 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent hernia repair under local anesthesia using tumescent local anesthesia (the local anesthesia group) in our hospital in an 18-month period from May 2008 to November 2009, and they were compared with 50 lesions of 46 patients who underwent hernia repair under spinal anesthesia in the same period (the spinal anesthesia group).
Results : In the local anesthesia group, the male-to-female ratio was 22 : 3, with an average age of 64.4 years. There were 23 cases of unilateral hernia and two cases of bilateral hernias. As for the types of hernias, there were 22 indirect and five direct inguinal hernias. The Mesh-plug method was employed for 26 lesions and the Marcy method for one lesion. When compared with the spinal anesthesia group, the local anesthesia group showed no statistically significant differences in the patient's background factors, operating time, and postoperative pain control. However, a significantly shorter staying time at the operating room was noted in the local anesthesia group, and the local anesthesia significantly contributes to shorten the duration of hospital stay as well.
Conclusions : It is suggested that inguinal hernia repair under tumescent local anesthesia that may make early ambulation and early discharge possible and can offer an economic benefit in medical cost is superior to that under spinal anesthesia.