Five-year results of a randomised controlled multi-centre study comparing heavy-weight knitted versus low-weight, non-woven XXXX implants in Lichtenstein hernioplasty.

@entity1 @entity7502 @entity282 @entity158
BACKGROUND: This prospective randomised study evaluated whether non-knitted and non-woven lightweight implants can influence @entity282 and time of return to normal activity, without increasing the recurrence rate in Lichtenstein inguinal hernioplasty. METHODS: @entity1 were operated on in four centres, randomised blindly into two groups with respect to the mesh used: Surgimesh WN (non-woven @entity7502 microfibre sheet) and heavy weight @entity7502 mesh. The operation was performed according to the Lichtenstein technique. Follow-up was designed for 7  days, and 3, 6, 12 and 60  months. The objectives were to assess the incidence of early and late complications, recurrence rate, and @entity282 . RESULTS: A total of 220 @entity1 were randomised; after monitoring visits (exclusion of one hospital), 202 qualified for the assessment. At 60  months, the recurrence rate did not differ statistically. Less @entity158 on the 7th postoperative day, and at 3  months, was observed in the WN group. No other differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a lightweight non-woven @entity7502 implant is a valuable alternative to the use of knitted or woven meshes in the Lichtenstein method. @entity282 and recurrence were reduced at short term follow-up, but no statistical difference in recurrence rate was observed at 12 and 60  month follow-up in the @entity1 population tested.
