Do we follow evidence-based medicine recommendations during inguinal hernia surgery? Results of a survey covering 2441 hernia repairs in 2007.
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.
Bernhardt
Gerwin A
GA
Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Clinic Hospital, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria. gerwin.bernhardt@klinikum-graz.at
Kornprat
Peter
P
Cerwenka
Herwig
H
El-Shabrawi
Azab
A
Mischinger
Hans-Jörg
HJ
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