A Comparative Study of Cyanoacrylate Glue Versus Non-Absorbable Sutures for Mesh Fixation in Lichtenstein Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Randomized Prospective Trial

Abstract

This randomized prospective control trial aimed to compare the effectiveness of cyanoacrylate glue versus non-absorbable sutures for mesh fixation in Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair, specifically evaluating postoperative outcomes such as pain, tenderness, and swelling. Conducted from August 2022 to January 2024 at Gajra Raja Medical College, Gwalior, the study enrolled 80 male patients diagnosed with primary unilateral inguinal hernia. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: one receiving mesh fixation with cyanoacrylate glue (test group) and the other with conventional sutures (control group). Postoperative pain was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), while complications like seroma, hematoma, wound infection, and recurrence were tracked to assess clinical outcomes. The study found that the test group demonstrated significantly better outcomes in terms of pain reduction, with 97.5% of the patients reporting minimal pain by Day 7, compared to only 37.5% in the suture group. Furthermore, the glue group showed significantly lower rates of tenderness and swelling, indicating that cyanoacrylate glue may offer superior postoperative comfort. Complication rates, including fever and hernia recurrence, were also lower in the glue group, underscoring the potential benefits of glue fixation in preventing common surgical complications. Based on these results, the study advocates for the broader adoption of cyanoacrylate glue in clinical practice, emphasizing its potential to improve patient outcomes by reducing pain and minimizing postoperative complications. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and evaluate the cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of glue fixation in routine hernia repair surgeries.