Risk of conversion after intended total extraperitoneal hernia repair for inguinal hernia depends on type of previous abdominal surgery.

PURPOSE: Risk of total extraperitoneal hernia repair (TEP) in patients with previous lower abdominal surgery (PLAS) is still debated. The present study was designed to assess the rate of conversion in TEP for inguinal hernia stratified by type of PLAS. METHODS: Variables on patients undergoing TEP inguinal hernia repair at our center were prospectively collected between July 2012 and May 2018. Patients with PLAS were compared to patients without PLAS. Furthermore, the most frequent subtypes of PLAS were defined and TEP conversion rate was stratified according to type of PLAS. RESULTS: A total of 1589 patients with TEP inguinal hernia repair were identified including 152 (9.6%) patients with PLAS. Operative time was increased in patients with PLAS (70 vs. 60 min, p < 0.001). Conversion from TEP to transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP) or Lichtenstein open inguinal hernia repair was eight-times more frequent after PLAS (8% vs. 1%, p < 0.001). Considering type of PLAS, open appendectomy was most frequently encountered, followed by multiple PLAS and surgery to the bladder and prostate (53%, 11% and 10%). After stratification for type of PLAS, conversions were most frequently found after previous surgery to the bladder or prostate and after multiple PLAS (conversion rate of 20% and 24%, p < 0.001). In contrast, conversion rate after open appendectomy was not increased. CONCLUSION: PLAS to the bladder and prostate is associated with TEP conversion. Selected patients might profit from a different operative approach for inguinal hernia repair.

Emergency repair and smoking predict recurrence in a large cohort of ventral hernia patients.

PURPOSE: Ventral hernias are frequent and hernia repair is regularly performed by general surgeons. Emergency repair is less frequent and can be challenging. Long-term data comparing outcomes of emergency- vs. elective ventral hernia repair are scarce. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing emergency and elective ventral hernia repair at our institution were prospectively entered in our HerniaMed database between August 2013 and February 2020. Patients were contacted after 1 and 5 years to assess long-term complications. Risk factors for emergency repair and hernia recurrence were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: We included 1307 patients. Emergency and elective hernia repair were performed in 11% and 89% of patients with 1-year follow-up rates of 94% and 92%. Female gender, BMI > 40 kg/m2, ASA class 3 and 4, large size umbilical herniation (> 4 cm) and epigastric herniation were more frequent in emergency hernia repair. Binary logistic regression analysis identified emergency repair and smoking as predictors of recurrence (Odds ratio: 4.04 and 95% confidence interval: 1.67-14.21, p = 0.004; Odds ratio: 2.94 and 95% confidence interval: 1.33-9.15, p = 0.011). Furthermore, female gender and significant comorbidity (ASA class 3 and 4) were risk factors for emergency repair (Odds ratio: 1.98 and 95% confidence interval: 01.05-3.74, p = 0.034; Odds ratio: 3.54 and 95% confidence interval: 1.79-6.98, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Emergency repair and smoking predicted hernia recurrence. Females and highly comorbid patients are at increased risk for emergency repair and should be prioritized for early elective hernia repair.

Risk Factors for Postoperative Urinary Retention After Endoscopic Hernia Repair: Age and Unilateral Operation make the Difference.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative urinary retention (POUR) is a common complication after inguinal hernia repair that may result in catheter-related infections or injuries, longer hospital stays, and thus, higher overall costs. Our aim was to assess the incidence of POUR after endoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair and identify its risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all data that were included in a prospective Hernia Database for patients undergoing a TEP inguinal hernia repair at our institution between July 2012 and May 2018. POUR was defined as the inability to urinate spontaneously after surgery, thus requiring a bladder catheter. RESULTS: Data from 1570 patients were included. Sixty-five patients developed POUR, which was an incidence of 4.1%. In the univariate analysis, patients over 50 years of age (1.6% vs. 5.5%), patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (ASA-1 2.7% vs. ASA-3 12.5%), previous prostate surgery (3.9% vs. 10.9%), unilateral operation (1.9% vs. 6.0%), and intraoperative drain placement (2.1% vs. 4.9%) developed POUR more often than younger patients. After multivariate adjustment, advanced age and unilateral surgery remained risk factors for POUR. CONCLUSION: Advanced age and unilateral inguinal hernia repair, possibly due to a lack of catheterization, were risk factors for POUR. Due to increasing outpatient inguinal hernia repairs worldwide, it is imperative to identify patients who are at risk of POUR to apply prophylactic measures and reduce readmission, and thus, reduce health-care costs.