Evaluation of inguinal hernia in ambulatory surgery: A prospective monocentric study on 1009 inguinal hernia

Abstract

Ambulatory surgery for inguinal hernia has not been really developed in our country.

Aim

We evaluated the feasibility of inguinal hernia surgery on ambulatory.

Patients and methods

From January 1995 to June 2004, we performed 1009 inguinal hernia. There were 934 men (92.8%) and 75 women (7.2%). Middle age was 58.36 years (range: 7–95 years). All the patients were examined by their primary doctor on the first and the third day and by the surgeon on the tenth day after discharge. Telephone follow-up on the patient's condition was performed by a registered nurse on postoperative days 1 and 3.

Results

Eight hundred and thirty three patients were operated on by ambulatory surgery (82.5%). Overall morbidity was 8.5% (n = 86). Satisfaction index was excellent for 93.8% (n = 948). Locoregional anesthesia alone or associated with general anesthesia was used for 900 patients (98.1%). Only 466 patients (46.2%) were painful, 258 (25.55%) had a discomfort, and 285 (28.24%) had no symptomatology.

Conclusion

Tension-free technique under locoregional anesthesia for inguinal hernia allows ambulatory surgery with a low rate of morbidity and high satisfaction index.