Description of Clinical Program
ABOUT THE LICHTENSTEIN HERNIA INSTITUTE
The Lichtenstein Hernia Institute is the only facility in the United States devoted exclusively to research, teaching and surgery of abdominal wall hernias (inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, umbilical hernia, ventral hernia or incisional hernia). In 1984, internationally' recognized hernia experts at the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute originated and popularized their revolutionary "tension-free" mesh technique, which is now accepted worldwide and considered the gold standard for hernia repair by the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Parviz Amid, a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and Royal College of Surgeons of England, is co-founder and Director of the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute. He is an international author and lecturer and has published more than 150 scientific articles and book chapters on the subject of abdominal wall hernias. He has trained expert hernia surgeons from all over the world and has lectured across the United States and throughout Europe, Canada, the far East, South America, and Australia. He also is an international expert on pain problems after surgery.
Amid Parviz, M.D.
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THE LICHTENSTEIN TENSION-FREE REPAIR
Hernia is a tear, or hole, in the musculature of the abdominal wall (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The black spot represents the hernia opening
in the muscular wall of the abdomen. The parallel lines
represent normal muscle fibers.
In conventional methods of repair, the edges of the tear are stitched or sewn together (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Stitching creates distortion of muscle
fibers and undue tension and pulling along the suture
line, causing additional pain and making for a longer
recovery period. It can also lead to recurrence of
the hernia.
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Tension-Free Mesh Method:
The "tension-free" mesh technique was pioneered by the Lichtenstein Hernia Institute in 1984 and is currently considered the gold standard of hernia repair by the American College of Surgeons. In this procedure, repair is accomplished by covering the opening of the hernia with a patch of mesh, instead of sewing the edge of the hole together (Figure 3).
Figure 3. A polypropylene patch or screen covers
the hernia completely and is tension-free.
The operation is performed under local anesthesia and on an outpatient basis. Within only two to three weeks, the patient's native tissue grows into the mesh, making it a part of the body (Figure 4).
Figure 4. The entire area of the groin susceptible
to hernia formation is permanently protected by the
mesh.
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CHRONIC PAIN AFTER HERNIA REPAIR
Chronic pain after hernia repair is a serious problem. Nerve injuries may be the cause of severe pain syndromes. Dr. Amid is an expert on the causes, prevention, and surgical treatment of postherniorrhaphy chronic pain and has treated more than 400 patients referred to him with these problems. He also has written and lectured widely on the subject.
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