Hyunjeong Ki, Seyoung Koo, Gil Ho Kang, Jiyoung Sul, Junbeom Park
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: This study aimed to analyze nationwide trends and regional disparities in inguinal hernia surgeries in South Korea between 2016 and 2022. Additionally, we aimed to evaluate changes in surgery frequency, including urban concentration and the introduction of robotic surgery.
Methods: This retrospective review used nationwide data on inguinal hernia surgeries from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database.
Results: From 2016 to 2022, 254,367 inguinal hernia surgeries were performed in South Korea, with males accounting for 88.9% of cases. The annual number of surgeries fluctuated, particularly in 2020, owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Medical costs increased from $1,218.4 to $1,970 on average, whereas patient copayments rose from $180.2 to $293.3. Robotic inguinal hernia surgeries, introduced in 2019, increased to 226 cases in 2022. Pediatric surgeries steadily declined, whereas adult surgeries remained stable, with a slight increase in 2022. The average hospital stay did not change significantly but varied between pediatric and adult patients. Regional disparities were notable, especially in pediatric surgery rates between metropolitan areas, such as Seoul and the surrounding provinces.
Conclusion: This study highlights stable overall surgery rates, a decline in pediatric cases, and an increase in robotic inguinal hernia surgeries. The persistent concentration of healthcare services in metropolitan areas suggests a need for policy interventions to address regional disparities and ensure equitable healthcare access. The findings underscore the importance of ongoing efforts to improve healthcare distribution and the need for long-term strategies to address changing surgical trends.
期刊介绍:
Manuscripts to the Annals of Surgical Treatment and Research (Ann Surg Treat Res) should be written in English according to the instructions for authors. If the details are not described below, the style should follow the Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals: Writing and Editing for Biomedical Publications available at International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) website (http://www.icmje.org).