| Methods |
Single centre, four arms RCT ‐ comparison: Shouldice vs Bassini (Bassini with absorbable sutures and two‐layers Shouldice not considered).
Randomization: methods not stated.
Maximum follow up: 2 years.
Exclusions after randomizations: not reported.
Analyses by protocol.
losses to follow up: 50 (reasons not specified)
Jadad quality score: 2. |
| Participants |
Country: Austria.
Setting: centre not specialized in hernia repair.
Total enrolled patients: 400. 307 primary hernia repair. (Shouldice 4 rows 160; Bassini unabsorbable 147).
Mean age (SD): not reported.
Gender: data not clear.
Inclusion criteria: Inguinal hernia (also recurrent hernias).
Exclusion criteria: not reported.
Demographic and baseline data reported: comparability for sex, type of hernia, recurrence, obesity, bronchitis, hernia sac >8 cm (all data reported). |
| Interventions |
Shouldice standard (n=160). 4 layers. Polypropylene.
Bassini modified (n=147). Polyester. |
| Outcomes |
Recurrence (lump in groin not necessarily re operated). |
| Notes |
Recurrence at 2 years follow up assessed by a hospital staff surgeon in 683 patients(93,6%).
Conflict of interest: not reported.
Sources of funding: not reported. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
B ‐ Unclear |
