Ambulatory total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: feasibility and impact on quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Feasibility of ambulatory laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in developing countries is not known due to lack of dedicated outpatient centers. This study prospectively evaluated the feasibility of outpatient discharge after laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair done in combination with in-hospital services and its impact on quality of life.


METHODS
Forty patients were studied who had uncomplicated inguinal hernias and fulfilled the selection criteria. Quality of life was evaluated by using the SF-12 questionnaire.


RESULTS
Ninety percent of patients could be discharged as outpatients. Four patients required admission. No major complications or readmissions occurred. Physical components of quality of life deteriorated in the immediate postoperative period but improved to above preoperative levels within one month. A transient deterioration in subgroups of the mental health component was observed, which recovered to normal in less than a week. There was no significant alteration in the emotional component. There has been no recurrence at a median follow-up of 25 months.


CONCLUSIONS
It was feasible to safely perform outpatient TEP in combination with routine in-hospital services without increasing complications or causing any adverse impact on quality of life. This was possible subject to adherence to proper selection and discharge criteria.
Kallianpur
Ashwin A
AA
Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Parshad
Rajinder
R
Dehran
Maya
M
Hazrah
Priya
P
D000328:Adult; D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010045:Outpatients; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000523:psychology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome