Factors associated with postoperative complications and hernia recurrence for patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair: a report from the VA Cooperative Hernia Study Group.
BACKGROUND
We sought to determine perioperative variables predictive of complications or recurrence for patients undergoing surgical repair of inguinal hernias.


METHODS
Using data from the Veterans Affairs trial, regression analyses were utilized to identify perioperative factors significantly associated with complications (overall, short-term and long-term), long-term pain, and to develop a risk model for recurrence.


RESULTS
Recurrent and scrotal hernias were predictors for short term and overall complications, regardless of technique. Older age and higher Mental Component Score of the SF-36 were associated with higher risk of long term complications in the open group while prostatism and increased body mass index were the significant predictors in the laparoscopic group. Long-term pain complaints decreased as patient age increased in both groups. Patient and surgeon factors were predictive of recurrence but varied greatly depending on surgical technique.


CONCLUSIONS
Regardless of technique, scrotal and recurrent hernias were associated with a greater risk of complications and younger patients had more long-term pain. Predictors of recurrence vary based on surgical technique.
Matthews
Richard D
RD
George E. Wahlen Salt Lake City VA Health Care System and University of Utah Department of Surgery, VAMC-112, 500 Foothill Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84148, USA.
Anthony
Thomas
T
Kim
Lawrence T
LT
Wang
Jia
J
Fitzgibbons
Robert J
RJ
Giobbie-Hurder
Anita
A
Reda
Domenic J
DJ
Itani
Kamal M F
KM
Neumayer
Leigh A
LA
D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015233:Models, Statistical; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors