Advantages of Nyhus versus Lichtenstein technique for surgical treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia

Introduction: Lichtenstein's and Nyhus techniques represent safe hernioplasties; Nyhus is a procedure not yet reported as the choice for bilateral inguinal hernia. Objective: to describe the advantages of Lichtenstein technique comparing Nyhus technique for the management of inguinal hernia as the treatment of choice in patients suffering from bilateral inguinal hernia. Methods: an observational, analytical, and cross-sectional study of control cases was conducted at Abel Santamaría Cuadrado General Teaching Hospital during 2014-2017 in Pinar del Río, Cuba. The sample consisted of 62 cases, in two groups that included 31 patients; Group A: operated by Nyhus technique. Group B: operated in two stages by Lichtenstein technique. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were applied. Results: in group A, the standard surgical time was 42 minutes, group B was over 60, the chi-square statistician showed the non-homogeneity between the frequencies being statistically significant the difference when observing the value of p=0.00020. The hospitalization time in A averaged 26 hours, in group B predominated more than 48 hours, the statistician chi-square showed the non-homogeneity between the frequencies being statistically significant the difference when observing the value of p=0.00000059. The ratio of complications of group A and B was 1.57. Patients belonging to Group A had no recurrence or inguinodynia symptoms, patients from Group B presented 3 inguinodynia episodes. Conclusions: Nyhus technique is the preferred choice for surgical treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia.