Comparing Staples Versus Polypropylene Sutures for Mesh Fixation in Inguinal Hernia Repair in Terms of Postoperative Pain

Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Inguinal Hernia

Treatments: Procedure: Staples for mesh fixation; Procedure: Polypropylene suture for mesh fixation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07261189

JPMC-GS-2025-12507

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial aims to compare postoperative pain between staples and polypropylene sutures used for mesh fixation in patients undergoing elective Lichtenstein tension-free inguinal hernia repair.

Full description

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common general surgical procedures worldwide. The standard method for mesh fixation during Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty uses polypropylene sutures. However, skin staples have recently been introduced as a faster and potentially less painful alternative. This randomized controlled trial compares both methods in terms of postoperative pain, measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and operative time.

Enrollment: 168 estimated patients

Sex: Male

Ages: 20 to 60 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Male patients aged 20 to 60 years.
• Patients undergoing elective Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair for unilateral, uncomplicated inguinal hernia (direct or indirect).
• Body Mass Index (BMI) between 19 and 30 kg/m².
• ASA physical status I, II, or III.
• Patients willing to participate and provide informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Diabetic patients (on medical records).
• Bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernia.
• Complicated hernia (irreducible, obstructed, or strangulated).
• Patients unwilling to participate or who fail to complete follow-up.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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168 participants in 2 patient groups

Staples for mesh fixation

Experimental group

Description:

Mesh secured with stainless steel staples during Lichenstein tension-free inguinal hernioplasty

Treatment:

Procedure: Staples for mesh fixation

Polypropylene Suture Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Mesh secured with polypropylene sutures during Lichensteins tension-free inguinal hernioplasty

Treatment:

Procedure: Polypropylene suture for mesh fixation