Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Hernia surgery changes in the Amsterdam region 1994-2001: decrease in operations for recurrent hernia.

Aufenacker TJ, de Lange DH, Burg MD, Kuiken BW, Hensen EF, Schoots IG, Gouma DJ, Simons MP

Department of Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, P.O. Box 95500, 1090 HM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Inguinal hernia (IH) surgery has changed substantially in the past decade. Conventional (nonmesh) techniques have largely given way to prostheses. This study's aim was to analyse whether changes in technique used for IH repair influenced the operation rate for recurrence. A retrospective study was performed on all adult males who had undergone IH surgery in the Amsterdam region during the calendar years of 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2001. Data were obtained for 3,649 subjects and included patient demographics, hernia type, and surgical technique. We observed a decrease in the use of conventional techniques and a significant increase (P<0.05) in the use of prosthetic materials. The number of operations performed for recurrent hernia decreased from 19.5% (216/1,108) in 1994, to 16.8% 197/1,170) in 1996, to 14.0% (152/1,088) in 1999, and to 14.1% (40/283) in 2001. When comparing 1999 and 2001 with 1994, there was a significant decrease in operations performed for recurrent hernia (P=0.005). There was also a significant increase in supervision of the surgical resident by a surgeon.

Published 11 March 2005 in Hernia, 9(1): 46-50.
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