Background: Many patients with inguinal hernia are operated and hemovac is used to drain extra fluids from the surgery site. In this study, we compared the results of surgery in patients operated with hemovac vs. who had not hemovac. Materials and methods: In a randomized clinical trial, 86 patients with inguinal hernia were assigned into two groups. Patients were operated by Lichtenstein method and hemovac was used in one group. The short- term outcome was compared between two groups.

 Results: Severity of pain in hemovac group was mild in 20 cases, moderate in 16 and severe in 5, and in non hemovac group was mild in 19 cases, moderate in 20 and severe in 2. Severity of scar in hemovac group was mild in 21 cases, moderate in 20 and severe in 2, and in non hemovac group was mild in 25 cases, moderate in 16 and severe in 2. Inflammation in hemovac group was mild in 23, moderate in 20 and nobody had severe inflammation, while in non hemovac group was mild in 31 cases, moderate in 11 and severe in 1.

Conclusion: There were no significant differences in pain, scar and inflammation among groups with and without hemovac. Using hemovac in inguinal hernia repair does not have effect on the healing of surgery site.