Long-term follow-up of 1059 consecutive primary and recurrent inguinal hernias in a teaching hospital.
OBJECTIVE
To study the early and late outcome of various methods of inguinal hernia repair.


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
Teaching hospital, Norway.


METHODS
1059 repairs of inguinal hernias in men and women by 43 surgeons.


METHODS
Analysis of patients charts, results of questionnaires concerning 712 hernias (67%) and follow-up consultations when needed.


METHODS
Freedom from recurrence and postoperative groin symptoms after repairs of primary and recurrent hernias.


RESULTS
After a median follow-up of 5.5 years, range 3-8, the recurrence rate was 8% for primary repairs and 29% after recurrent hernias. The incidence of permanent pain or discomfort was unexpectedly high, being 11% after primary repairs and 15% after recurrent hernia repairs.


CONCLUSIONS
The number of recurrences at long-term follow-up after repairs of primary and recurrent inguinal hernias was unsatisfactory. The extent of postoperative pain was surprising as this was not given enough attention during the learning period. We have introduced a uniform treatment policy with a prospective surveillance programme with the aim of improving results in our teaching programme.
Søndenaa
K
K
Department of Surgery, Rogaland Central Hospital, Stavanger, Norway. kasoende@online.no
Nesvik
I
I
Breivik
K
K
Kørner
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D011336:Probability; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome