The initial experience of introducing the Onstep technique for inguinal hernia repair in a general surgical department.
OBJECTIVE
A new technique for the repair of inguinal hernia, called Onstep, has been described. This technique places the mesh in the preperitoneal space medially and between the internal and external oblique muscles laterally. The Onstep technique has not yet been described outside the inventors' departments. This study was based on the first 80 patients operated by the Onstep technique in a general surgical department. The objective of the study was to investigate postoperative pain and complications following the Onstep repair of inguinal hernia.


METHODS
A total of 80 patients, operated in our department, were followed up in the medical files and contacted by letter. Patients were asked to fill out the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire, Carolinas Comfort Scale, and the Activity Assessment Scale, in order to assess postoperative pain.


RESULTS
No perioperative complications occurred. The response rate was 85% on the mailed questionnaires. No patients had any activities they were not able to perform. Activity Assessment Scale results: 80.3% did not have substantial pain-related impairment of daily function. Carolinas Comfort Scale results: 94.8% did not have a symptomatic repair. Inguinal Pain Questionnaire results: 95.5% reported no pain or pain that was easily ignored.


CONCLUSIONS
It seems from this study that the Onstep technique is a safe method for inguinal hernia repair regarding perioperative and postoperative complications. The postoperative pain seems to be equal to or lower than after the Lichtenstein technique.
Centre for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark kristofferandresen@gmail.com.
K
K
Andresen
Centre for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
J
J
Burcharth
Centre for Perioperative Optimization, Department of Surgery, Herlev Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
J
J
Rosenberg
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
Herniorrhaphy; activities of daily living; chronic pain; cohort studies; inguinal hernia; postoperative complications; surgical mesh