title: Long-term follow-up of tension-free Lichtenstein hernioplasty: application of a qualitative-and-quantitative measurement instrument.
abstract: Real outcomes for the inguinal tension-free Lichtenstein hernioplasty are not reflected by the usual parameters by which they are measured and habitually reported. It is possible to measure these outcomes from the point of view of the surgeon, as well as from the patient's, using an instrument specifically designed for that purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze the outcomes of the tension-free hernioplasty in 236 patients. Based upon the concept of quality-of-life, we designed a structured questionnaire in the form of a qualitative-and-quantitative measurement instrument. The study had two phases. First, we analyzed retrospectively the clinical records. Second, we interviewed the patients applying the instrument. The score demonstrated that 83% of the patients feel that the outcomes of their surgery are excellent, 9.7% feel that they are very good, and 3.8% feel that they are bad or very bad. Outcomes of the Lichtenstein hernioplasty should not only reflect the technological progress of hernia surgery but also the more intimate aspects of the patient's experience. It is possible to measure the outcomes of this common surgical procedure in a more complete way using a simple measurement instrument.
authors.affiliation: Departament of Surgery, Hospital de Ovalle, Plazuela Baquedano# 240, Ovalle IV Region, Chile. beltran_01@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beltran
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Burgos
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Almonacid
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Larenas
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Tapia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vicencio
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Danilova
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cruces
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Araya
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012008:Recurrence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires