Evolution of an inguinal hernia surgery practice. Issue 905 (1st March 2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mokete, M; Earnshaw, J J
• Is Part Of: Postgraduate medical journal. Volume 77:Issue 905(2001)
• Page Start: 188
• Page End: 190
• Publication Date: 2001-03-01
• Subjects: inguinal hernia -- postoperative complications; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1136/pmj.77.905.188
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-5473

Abstract

Abstract : BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia surgery has undergone numerous advances in the last few years. This study analysed the changes in the practice of one surgeon in a district general hospital over a seven year interval. The effect of changing from Bassini to Lichtenstein repair in 1994 was evaluated. METHODS: The study involved two parts: first a search of a computerised database of inguinal hernia procedures, and second, postal audits of men who had an inguinal hernia repair in 1993 and 1994 with outpatient follow up for those with a possible recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 1037 hernias were repaired over the seven years. There was an increase in the proportion of day cases from 18% to 70% and the number of operations performed under local anaesthetic rose from 1% to 45%. The postal audits had response rates of 79% (1993) and 66% (1994). Some 5/98 (5%) recurrent hernias were identified from the 1993 (Bassini) patients compared with 1/67 (1.5%) from the 1994 (Lichtenstein) cohort. CONCLUSION: Lichtenstein hernia repair can be performed safely as a day case using local anaesthetic in the majority of patients and appears to have a lower recurrence rate than Bassini repair.