title: Clinical factors influencing return to work after ambulatory inguinal herniorrhaphy in Hong Kong.
abstract: Ambulatory inguinal hernia repair is the commonest day case general surgery operation. The present study was conducted to evaluate factors influencing the contemporary pattern of convalescence following ambulatory inguinal hernia repair in Hong Kong. A total of 271 consecutive ambulatory inguinal hernia repairs were performed at a day surgery centre from December 1995 to December 1998. The convalescent period prior to resuming work was analysed by multi-variate analysis with respect to significant clinical variables. A sick leave of 3 weeks was adequate for most patients following uncomplicated ambulatory inguinal hernia repairs. Factors associated with early return to work included age </=50 years, indirect inguinal hernia and sedentary occupation. Occupation was the only independent factor affecting the duration of time off work on multi-variate analysis.
authors.affiliation: Day Surgery Centre, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Tung Wah Hospital, 12 Po Yan Street, Hong Kong
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Poon