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The Economic Impact of Four Varieties of Mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair- a Double-Blinded, Prospective, Randomized Trial
Link to the ClinicalTrials.gov recordInformation obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 23, 2012
Title of trial/grant titleThe Economic Impact of Four Varieties of Mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair- a Double-Blinded, Prospective, Randomized Trial
Current status of trialTerminated
Sponsors and collaboratorsUnited States Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth
Information provided byUnited States Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth
ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT00416364
PurposeThere are a variety of methods to repair inguinal hernias. Each has its advocate and may
confer advantages to individual patients. Postoperative pain, convalescence, recurrence,
and economics have all been evaluated however none in a randomized blinded fashion.
Recently, investigators have attempted to address some of these concerns with new prosthetic
materials. The preferred method of repair currently employs a tension free technique using
mesh prosthesis. The approach as advocated by Lichtenstein involves reinforcing the floor
of the inquinal canal with an onlay mesh. Newer approaches use a double layer mesh that
reinforces the floor in a preperitoneal and onlay technique (Prolene Hernia System) while
obliterating the internal inguinal ring or by the Mesh Plug repair (bioresorbable or
permanent) which reinforces the inguinal floor with an onlay mesh while obliterating the
internal inguinal ring. Currently no study has compared these techniques for ease of
performance, postoperative pain, convalescence, quality of life, or cost in a randomized
double blinded fashion. NMCP is uniquely qualified to compare these repairs prospectively
and blinded to best assess the most cost effective approach which causes the least pain. A
prospective double-blinded randomized trial comparing the Lichtenstein onlay mesh technique
to Prolene Hernia Sytem (PHS), Mesh Plug Repair (MPR), or Gore Bioresorbable plug for
postoperative pain, duration of convalescence, cost, impact on quality of life and ease of
performance is proposed. Impact on quality of life will be assessed serially with the SF 12
which is a validated survey used with serial measures in the acute setting.
Condition(s)Inguinal Hernia
PhaseN/A
Study type and designObservational Model: Case Control, Time Perspective: Prospective
Official titleThe Economic Impact of Four Varieties of Mesh Inguinal Hernia Repair- a Double-Blinded, Prospective, Randomized Trial
Further study details4. RESEARCH DESIGN/METHODS/SUBJECT JUSTIFICATION

1. General Approach To randomize between Lichtenstein, PHS, GBP,and MPR hernia repair in a
double blinded fashion in patients presenting to the general surgery clinic with
primary unilateral inguinal hernias. . Daily visual analogue pain scales (validated
for this purpose) will be obtained. An SF 12, quality of life instrument, validated
for this purpose will be provided on a weekly basis to assess impact, if any, that
differing hernia repairs may have. This instrument has been validated to provide
serial assessments in quality of life in surgical patients.

(1) Research Objective 2. Comparison of operative costs between groups. 3. Comparison
of Visual Analogue Pain Scale between groups to assess differences in percieved
postoperative pain.

4. Comparison of operative times between groups as an estimation of operative ease in
performing the different procedures.

5. Comparison of Quality of life suveys (SF 12) serially between groups.

(2) Detail how many groups or arms are in the study and what each receives Patients
will be assigned randomly to one of four comonly performed hernia repairs;
Lichtenstein, MPR, GBP, and PHS. See below for details in the procedures.

(3) Randomization Procedures Computer generated block randomized list will assign
patients to one of four repairs on the morning of surgery.

2. Methods and Materials

1. Lichtenstein hernia repair: A piece of polyproplene mesh will be trimmed to fit
the inguinal floor. The mesh will be secured to poupart's ligament and the
conjoined tendon using 2-0 prolene suture. Tacking sutures of 2-0 Vicryl will be
used laterally to secure the mesh in place.

2. Mesh Plug hernia repair (MPR): A 2 part prosthesis (Perfix Plug) is fixed in
place using 2-0 vicryl. The plug is secured into the inguinal ring and the onlay
mesh is tacked to the same structures noted for the Lichtenstein hernia repair
using 2-0 Vicyrl.

3. Prolene Hernia System (PHS): The preperitoneal space is developed through the
internal ring. The inner mesh is placed beneath the transversalis fascia and the
superficial mesh sits above the transversalis fascia. The outer mesh is fixed
with tacking sutures to the same structures noted for the Lichtenstein hernia
repair using 2-0 Vicyrl.

4. Gore Bioresorbable Plug (GBP): The plug is secured to the internal inguinal ring
with 2-0 Vicryl.

Closure of the fascia of the external oblique, scarpa's fascia and skin will be accomplished
with 2-0 vicryl (fascia) and 4-0 monocryl sutures for all hernia repairs. Postoperative
management of pain will include oral narcotics and non steroidal anti inflammaory
medication.

The active duty male patients with primary unilaterial inguinal hernia seen in the General
Surgery Clinic will be offered participation in the protocol. An investigator or
Subinvestigator will explain the details of the study to eligible patients and if
interested, they will consent said patients. They will be randomized the morning of the
operative procedure. On discharge, the surgeon will recommend convalescent leave based on
their individual preferances (this is current standard of care) and the patient will be
asked to record their visual analogue pain scales daily. They will be seen in the surgery
clinic before expiration of the con leave and re assessed for additional need for con leave
by a clinic nurse (unaware of which surgical procedure the patient had ) who will provide
recommendations for additional con leave to the responsible surgeon. The patient will be
contacted weekly by and investigator and the telephone version of the SF12 will be
administered until 30 days postoperatively (4 samples). The responsible surgeon has final
responsibility for recommendation of con leave. . Operative times will be recorded from
the operative record and costs will be generated from actual material costs and an average
of OR room charges and anesthesia charges from the tidewater area.

1. Standard of Care Primary inguinal hernias are repaired in a tension free fashion. The
lichtenstein, mesh plug repair, bioresorbable plug, and prolene hernia system are
commonly performed repairs. Surgeons choose one of these repairs based on personal
preference and ease of performance.

2. Experimental Procedure Randomization and blinding between hernia repair types,
collecting pain data (VAS), costs, and quality of life questionaires.

We have propose the following changes to the protocol which have been submitted to the IRB
to facilitate enrollment. The protocol was approved in February 2006 with an anticipated
enrollment requirement of 680 patients. To date, one patient has enrolled. The majority of
patients have declined participation because they prefer not to return to the clinic weekly
until returning to work. As return to work and con leave were not primary end points of the
study (operative times, VAS, and QOL are the endpoints of interest), the following changes
are recommended to improve participation in the study.
Primary outcomeComparison of Visual Analogue Pain Scale between groups to assess differences in percieved postoperative pain. 4 weeks No
Study startMarch 2006
Minimum age21 Years
Maximum ageN/A
GenderMale
Eligibility criteriaInclusion Criteria:

- Unilateral primary inguinal hernia presenting for repair

Exclusion Criteria:

- Recurrent repairs

- Females

- Bilateral repairs

- Repairs done with other operative procedures
Study chairs or principal investigatorsPaul A Lucha, DO, Principal Investigator, Naval Medical Center Department of Surgery- Portsmouth, VA
LocationsVirginia, United States

Naval Medical Center Department of Surgery
Portsmouth
Virginia
23708
Study ID numbersP06-020
Last updatedDecember 4, 2007
Record first receivedDecember 27, 2006
ClinicalTrials.gov identifierNCT00416364
Download dateInformation obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 23, 2012
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