Background & Aims: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common causes of surgery in the world. With increasing of age hernia prevalence rate increases so that in age over 70 years its prevalence gets at 50 percent. Different methods are described in hernia repair and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. At present the method of choice for inguinal hernia repair is the tension free procedure which was first introduced by Lichtension. .This study investigates the short-term side effects of drainage applied in Lichtenstein method.

  Materials &Methods: This clinical trial study investigates 60 patients admitted to this center with the above mentioned diagnosis who have undergone hernia repair surgery. In 31 patients at the end of the operation close suction drain was applied versus 29 patients in whom no drain was used.

  Results: In the group of patients with drain the incidence of side effects was as follows: Hematoma 9.7%, seroma3.2%, urinary retention 0% versus the results in patient without drain: Hematoma3.4%, seroma0%, urinary retention 3.4% the mean time needed for the patients to return to their daily work in drain applied group was 17.48 days versus 18.30 days in patients with no drain application .Hence no significant statistical difference was observed in the two compared groups. A significant statistical difference was obvious when comparing two groups with post surgery hospitalizing period. This period in patients with drain was 2.9 days versus 1.48 days in patients without drain.

  Conclusion: Based on findings close suction drain not only decreases the incidence of complications such as hematoma, seroma and urinary retention but also increases the hospitalizing period, as well as producing overwhelming costs and depression of patients spirits, so that, it is suggested not to apply any drain at all.

  Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(1): 78 ISSN: 1027-3727