Clinical efficacy of Lichtenstein surgery for cirrhosis ascites complicated with inguinal hernia

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of Lichtenstein surgery for cirrhosis ascites complicated with inguinal hernia (hernia ring diameter <3.0 cm). Methods The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 50 patients who underwent Lichtenstein surgery for cirrhosis ascites complicated with inguinal hernia in the Peking Union Medical College Hosptal of Chinese Academy of Medical Science between January 2010 and January 2018 were collected. There were 42 males and 8 females, aged from 45 to 73 years, with an average age of 66 years. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted through outpatient examination and telephone interview to detect the hernia recurrence and survival of patients at 3, 6 months after operation and once every 6 months after 6 months up to January 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as Mean±SD and measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M (range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers and/or percentages. Results (1) Surgical and postoperative situations: 50 patients underwent operation successfully. The operation time and duration of postoperative hospital stay were (52±7)minutes and (4.0±1.8)days. Among the 50 patients, 1 case of postoperative wound fat liquefaction occurred and was healed after dressing change, 8 cases of scrotal edema effusion occurred and were recovered after being treated with suction, 3 cases of pain in groin area occurred and were relieved after symptomatic treatment, and 4 cases of urinary retention occurred and were cured after urethral catheterization and exercise of bladder. (2) Follow-up: 48 of the 50 patients were followed up, with a follow-up rate of 96%(48/50). The 48 patients was followed up for 12-36 months with a median time of 33 months. During the follow-up, 1 case of inguinal hernia recurred and 2 cases died of complications related to cirrhosis. Conclusion Lichtenstein surgery is safe and feasible for the cirrhosis ascites complicated with inguinal hernia (hernia ring diameter <3 cm). Key words: Hernia; Inguinal hernia; Hernia repair; Liver cirrhosis; Ascites