Tecnica di Trabucco versus Rutkow versus Lichtenstein nel trattamento dell'ernia inguinale. Studio clinico controllato randomizzato

Background. The aim of this prospective study is to compare the results of the 3 most common tension-free techniques usually performed (Trabucco vs Rutkow vs Lichtenstein). Methods. From January 1993 to December 1995 we selected 150 patients to undergo elective surgery for primary monolateral inguinal hernia. The patients were randomized into 3 groups: in group A (53 patients) we used the original plug and patch technique proposed by Rutkow and Robbins; in group B (47 patients) we introduced a modification to the technique originally described by Trabucco, anchoring the plug to the internal ring, fixing the patch on the pubic tubercle and on the tails of the mesh; in group C (50 patients) the Lichtenstein technique was employed. The study was performed using a randomized single blind controlled trial (RCT). The statistical analysis of our data was performed by ² test and confirmed by the Fisher exact test. The mean follow-up was 73 months (range: 58-94). Results. We had no statistically significant differences in the results of the 3 groups. Otherwise the patients of group C showed a significantly higher incidence of suprapubic or more rare inguino-scrotal haematoma (p