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Permanent Versus Slowly Dissolving Stitches for Non-Mesh (Shouldice) Groin Hernia Repair
Comparing Permanent Polypropylene (Prolene) Versus Slowly Absorbable Polydioxanone (PDS) Suture in Open Shouldice Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Who can join
Ages 18 and older · All sexes
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients 18 years or older * Symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia * BMI 30 or less * Ability to provide informed consent * Must speak and understand English Exclusion Criteria: * Urgent or emergent presentations * Contaminated cases * Prior inguinal hernia repairs done on side of presenting symptomatic hernia * Femoral hernias * Adults unable to consent * Pregnant patients * Bilateral inguinal hernia repairs
About the study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether slowly dissolving stitches work as well as permanent stitches for repairing a groin (inguinal) hernia in adults using the Shouldice technique, a hernia repair that does not use mesh. Researchers think dissolving stitches may cause less long-term groin discomfort without making the hernia more likely to come back. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Is the chance of the hernia coming back within 1 year different with dissolving stitches (PDS) compared with permanent stitches (Prolene)?
Do the two types of stitches differ in complications, groin pain, quality of life, or the feeling of something foreign in the groin?
Is a larger future study of this question possible? This includes whether enough people join, whether the study plan is followed, and whether participants complete follow-up.
Researchers will compare slowly dissolving polydioxanone (PDS) stitches with permanent polypropylene (Prolene) stitches to see if the hernia comes back at similar rates and if patients have less long-term discomfort.
Participants will:
Have their planned open Shouldice hernia repair. The type of stitch will be chosen at random, like flipping a coin, during surgery.
Not be told which stitch they received until 1 year after surgery, or sooner if the hernia comes back or another operation is needed.
Complete questionnaires about pain, activity, and quality of life before surgery and about 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery.
See their surgeon for routine visits about 30 days and 1 year after surgery.
Receive one research phone call about 6 months after surgery.
Answer whether they feel something foreign in their groin and which type of stitch they think they received.
What is being tested
- Polypropylene suture (Prolene) (device)
- Polydioxanone suture (PDS) (device)
Sponsor: Northwestern University · Participants: 200 · Started: Oct 26, 2026
Contact the study team
- Megan Melland-Smith, MD · Phone: 312-695-6868
- Maria Narvaez Pereyra, MD · Phone: 561-271-5655
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT07883122
Locations in the U.S.
| Illinois | Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Nov 15, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.