title: Do we follow evidence-based medicine recommendations during inguinal hernia surgery? Results of a survey covering 2441 hernia repairs in 2007.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a survey to determine whether hernia surgeons follow evidence-based medicine (EBM) criteria in their daily routine.
  
  
  METHODS
  All chiefs of general surgery in Styria (Austria) received a short, simple, two-page, 10-item questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We analyzed completed surveys from 15 departments reporting 2441 hernia repairs with a mean patient age of 57.5 +/- 11.6 years. Although five techniques accounted for 96.6% of procedures, the frequency of use of each technique varied considerably among the hospitals. There were high numbers of laparoscopic (36.8%) and sutured (19.9%) repairs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the great variance among the evaluated hospitals as to surgical methods and indications, this survey showed that inguinal hernia surgery does not currently comply with EBM.
authors: Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Clinic Hospital, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria. gerwin.bernhardt@klinikum-graz.at
authors: Gerwin A
authors: GA
authors: Bernhardt
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Kornprat
authors: Herwig
authors: H
authors: Cerwenka
authors: Azab
authors: A
authors: El-Shabrawi
authors: Hans-Jörg
authors: HJ
authors: Mischinger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult