Background: Globally, Inguinal hernia forms the major entity among all other hernias .Chronic groin pain can be a result of nerve entrapment while operating. Mesh repair leads to an inflammatory reaction over a period of time, though the exact cause of pain remains elusive. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of polyglactin vs prolene sutures in the reduction of postoperative pain in inguinal hernia surgeries.

Methods: A one year hospital prospective study in Government Vellore Medical College. A total of 60 adult patients were divided into two groups of 30 each .Mesh fixation with polyglactin sutures was Group A (30) and prolene sutures was Group B (30) and their post operative pain was assessed. Follow up was for 3 months. Collected data was analyzed using Chi square test and T test

Results: Our analysis showed that the incidence of postoperative groin pain in the polyglactin research group was significantly lower .From the start of the first follow up to the fourth, the mean pain score decreased on average more in Group A (0.770.63) than in group B (1.300.79) with a significant difference (p=0.0023)

Conclusion: The post operative chronic groin pain was significantly reduced in the study group in whom polyglactin sutures were placed instead of prolene sutures and hence routine usage of polyglactin sutures to fix a mesh is a safe and effective alternative to polypropylene sutures in Lichtenstein hernia repair

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Vinoth R

Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University