Post-operative Management of inguinal hernia by using Ayurveda Formulation: A Case Report

Abstract

Inguinal hernia is a common surgical condition, and more than 20 million patients are being repaired globally each year. Inguinal hernias account for 75% of all abdominal wall hernias. Inguinal hernia surgery belongs to the class of ‘clean” surgery and requires a single-dose prophylactic antibiotic as per recommendation of Hernia Society. The rate of surgical site infection (SSI) following hernia repair reported in the international literature ranges between 0% and 14%.  A 40 years old male a tailor by occupation non hypertensive and non-diabetic patient diagnosed as Right side indirect inguinal hernia was selected. After pre anesthesia checkup, open inguinal hernia was repaired with the Lichtenstein procedure. Ayurveda formulation three capsules twice daily was given at night before surgery, morning on the day of surgery with sips of water, and continued for 5 days in the postoperative period. The sutures removed on the 10^th day. ASEPSIS wound score and SOUTHMPTON wound healing grading system were used for assessment. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Surgical site infection and mesh rejection was not found in long-term six months follow-up. In this case the ASEPSIS wound score was found to be 0 and the SOUTHMPTON wound healing grading system remained grade 0 even after 30 days of open inguinal hernia repair. Successful outcome of Ayurveda formulation in prevention of surgical site infection in open inguinal hernia repair is a new gateway for Ayurveda surgeons. Surgery can be performed in Ayurveda institutions without antibiotics in the pre- and post-operative period.