Desarda Non-mesh Technique Versus Lichtenstein Technique for the Treatment of Primary Inguinal Hernias: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The aim of the current systematic review was to compare the Desarda technique with the Lichtenstein technique for the repair of inguinal hernias. A systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted comparing the Desarda technique and the Lichtenstein technique using electronic databases. The primary outcome evaluated was hernia recurrence and the secondary outcomes evaluated were post-operative complications, time to return to normal activity and operative time in minutes. Five RCTs were included in this meta-analysis, which included a total of 536 patients. There were 310 patients in the Desarda group and 226 patients in the Lichtenstein group. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of hernia recurrence between the two groups (p=0.74). Post-operative complications were significantly more in the Lichtenstein group. There was a lower rate of post-operative seroma following the Desarda technique as compared to Lichtenstein repair (p=0.02). Both Desarda and Lichtenstein had low rates of recurrence following surgery and had acceptable rates of post-operative complications with lower rates noted in the Desarda group.