Cyanoacrylate Mesh Fixation in Lichtenstein Inguinal Hernia Repair. Does It Have Advantages?

Objectives: To compare the short-term effects of mesh fixation in Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair. Materials and methods: Prospective, randomized and unicentric study of patients undergoing primary, unilateral inguinal hernia, operated under the Lichtenstein technique; comparing the mesh fixation with n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (group I) versus non-reabsorbable suture (group II). The study variables in the postoperative period focused on the incidence of pain, complications and hernia recurrence. Results: 120 patients have been included, from 26/11/2013 to 09/02/2015. 60 patients in each treatment arm. In group I pain was recorded (EVA ≥3) at 24h in 19 patients, at 30 days in 9 patients and at 90 days in 1 patient, against 22, 15 and 6 patients in group II (p= 0, 56; p= 0.17, p= 0.048, specifically). The incidence of morbidity at 90 days was 15% in the cyanoacrylate group and 13.33% in the suture fixation group, p= 0.79. Repairs were 4.8 minutes faster in the glue group (p= 0.02). There were no early recurrences in either group. Discussion: There were no differences in the incidence of acute pain evaluated at 24 hours after the intervention or at 30 days, but there was a lower incidence in favor of the glue at the 90-day assessment p= 0.048. There were no statistically significant differences in complications at 90 days, we objective reduction in surgical time of 4.8 minutes in favor of the cyanoacrylate. There were not early recurrence. ANZCTR registration with reference number ACTRN12616000242426.