OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of bilateral inguinal hernia repairs by the Lichtenstein technique. METHODS: We studied the charts of 59 patients who underwent elective simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair between 2003 and 2007. We analyzed: gender, age, weight, operative time, length of hospital stay, Nyhus classification, complications in the immediate and late postoperative periods, and recurrence. These data were submitted to descriptive statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the 59 patients, 95% were men. Age ranged from 40 to 60 years; weight, from 50 to 103 kg; operative time, from 60 to 80 minutes; and the length of stay, from one to six days. Thirty patients had type IIIB hernias; nine, type II; ten, type IIIA; seven, type IV; one, type II on the left and type IIIB on the right; one, type IIIA on the right and IIIB on the left; and one, type IIIA on the right and type II on the left. In the immediate postoperative period, pain was the most important manifestation, in 30.5% of subjects. In 94.92% of cases there were no complications. There were two cases of inguinodinia and one of burning pain in the surgical site. There was one recurrence 29 months after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous bilateral inguinal hernia repair by Lichtenstein technique was safe and effective, with a low rate of complications, short hospital stay, and only one case of recurrence at an average of 48 months follow-up.
Hernia; Hernia, inguinal; Hernia, inguinal; Herniorrhaphy; Recurrence
