A Prospective Observational Study Comparing Quality of Life Following Lichtenstein Hernia Repair Under Spinal and Local Anesthesia (Code: T0006)

Introduction: Inguinal hernia repair is a common surgical procedure performed globally. The choice of anesthesia, either local anesthesia (LA) or spinal anesthesia (SA), can influence postoperative recovery, pain management, and overall quality of life (QoL). This study aims to compare the effects of LA and SA on patient-reported outcomes following Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty.

AIM OF THE STUDY

1.To study the maternal outcome with early onset severe pre-eclampsia before 30 weeks with expectant and without expectant management.

2  .To study neonatal outcome in women with early onset severe preeclampsia before 30 weeks.

Methods: A single-center prospective observational study was conducted at AIIMS Bhopal from August 2022 to May 2024. Patients aged over 18 years undergoing open inguinal hernia repair were divided into two groups based on their anesthesia preference: LA and SA. Patient-reported outcomes were assessed using the WHO-QOL BREF and Brief Male Sexual Function Inventory (BMSFI) questionnaires preoperatively and at postoperative intervals (1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months). Secondary outcomes included duration of surgery, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and pain scores using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS).

Results: The LA group demonstrated significantly shorter hospital stays (3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 4.5 ± 1.0 days, p=0.02), fewer postoperative movement restrictions, and a lower incidence of complications such as urinary retention (0% vs. 8%, p=0.03). There were no significant differences in postoperative pain or sexual function between the groups. While SA provided better QoL scores in the immediate postoperative period, the LA group reported superior long-term QoL outcomes.

Conclusion: Local anesthesia offers significant advantages, including faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, and fewer complications, making it an effective alternative for inguinal hernia repair. Spinal anesthesia remains beneficial for improving immediate postoperative QoL. Personalizing anesthesia selection based on patient needs can optimize overall treatment outcomes.