Local VS. other forms of anesthesia for open inguinal hernia repair: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Impact on quality of life following inguinal hernia repair under local anaesthetic in a primary care setting

PURPOSE

Inguinal hernia repair remains one of the most common elective general surgical procedures. Previous studies have suggested high rates of chronic pain afterwards. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in quality of life after local anaesthetic (LA) inguinal hernia surgery performed in a primary care setting.

METHODS

Quality of life (QoL) was measured in all patients both pre-operatively and at 6-months post-operatively using the European Hernia Society Scoring tool. Data was analysed by tertile grouping according to initial symptom score.

RESULTS

497 patients filled out pre-operative QoL forms between June 2020 and May 2022. Post-operative QoL scores were received from 179 patients (164 male (91.6%)). Median pre-operative score was 33 (IQR 20-48). Median post-operative score was 4 (IQR 1-11). Mean improvement in QoL score was 27.8. Nine patients had a worse score at 6-months compared to pre-op (5%). When the data was analysed by pre-op QoL group as expected the low symptom group (score 0-10) had minimal improvement in QoL (0.23) and 5 out of 13 patients (38%) had a worse score. The medium group (score 11-40) had a mean improvement in QoL of 17.25 with 3 out of 92 (3.2%) experiencing a worse score. The high symptom group (score 41-90) had a mean improvement in QoL of 45.4 with only 1 of 76 (1.3%) experiencing a worse score.

CONCLUSIONS

LA Inguinal hernia repair improves QoL substantially 6-months after surgery. However, in those patients with low pre-operative scores (< 11) the gain is minimal and rates of chronic symptoms following surgery are very high. We recommend avoiding surgery in this group and instead adopting a surveillance approach.

Trans rectus sheath extra-peritoneal procedure (TREPP) for inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia with sedation in the outpatient clinic: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

The Trans Rectus Sheath Extra-Peritoneal Procedure (TREPP) is an open procedure in which the mesh is placed in the preperitoneal space and is therefore associated with less chronic post-operative inguinal pain. TREPP is primarily performed under general or spinal anesthesia, however, it is also possible to perform under sedation and local anesthesia with potentially advantages. This retrospective feasibility pilot study investigates the safety and efficiency of TREPP under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic in comparison with Lichtenstein.

METHODS

Between 2019 and 2022, all patients who underwent an elective inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia in the outpatient clinic operation theatre were assessed. 34 patients in the TREPP group and 213 patients in the Lichtenstein group were included. Outcomes were complications, operating time, theatre time, and early inguinal hernia recurrence within 8 weeks and 6 months post-operatively.

RESULTS

No significant differences in complications such as wound infection, hematoma, seroma, urine retention and early recurrence between TREPP and Lichtenstein were found. Post-operative pain at 8 weeks was not significantly higher after Lichtenstein (8.8% vs. 18.8%, P = 0.22). Operating time (21.0 (IQR: 16.0-27.3) minutes vs. 39.0 (IQR: 31.5-45.0) minutes, P < 0.001) and theatre time (37.5 (IQR: 30.8-42.5) minutes vs. 54.0 (IQR: 46.0-62.0) minutes, P < 0.001) was significantly shorter for TREPP.

CONCLUSION

This pilot study showed that TREPP appears to be feasible to perform safely under local anesthesia with comparable complication rates and substantially shorter operation time than Lichtenstein. These results justify further research with a larger study population and a longer period of follow up in order to provide firm conclusions.

Factors associated with conversion from day-case to in-patient elective inguinal hernia repair surgery across England: an observational study using administrative data

PURPOSE

Elective primary inguinal hernia repair surgery is increasingly being conducted as a day-case procedure. However, some patients planned for day-case surgery have to stay in hospital for at least one night. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with conversion from day-case to in-patient management for elective inguinal hernia repair surgery.

METHODS

This was an exploratory retrospective analysis of observational data from the Hospital Episode Statistics dataset for England. All patients aged ≥ 17 years undergoing a first elective inguinal hernia repair between 1st April 2014 and 31st March 2022 that was planned as day-case surgery were identified. The exposure of interest was discharged on the day of admission (day-case) or requiring overnight stay. The primary outcome of interest was 30-day emergency readmission with an overnight stay. For reporting, providers were aggregated to an Integrated Care Board (ICB) level.

RESULTS

A total of 351,528 planned day-case elective primary inguinal hernia repairs were identified over the eight-year study period. Of these, 45,305 (12.9%) stayed in hospital for at least one night and were classed as day-case to in-patient stay conversions. Patients who converted to in-patient stay were older, had more comorbidities, and were more likely to have bilateral surgery and be operated on by a low-annual volume surgeon. Post-procedural complications were strongly associated with conversion. Across the 42 ICBs in England, model-adjusted conversion rates varied from 3.3% to 21.3%.

CONCLUSIONS

There was considerable variation in conversion to in-patient stay rates for inguinal hernia repair across ICBs in England. Our findings should help surgical teams to better identify patients suitable for day-case inguinal hernia repair and plan discharge services more effectively. This should help to reduce the variation in conversion rates.

Thromboembolectomy for acute lower limb ischemia: Contemporary outcomes of two surgical methods from a single tertiary center

OBJECTIVES

The current treatment of acute lower limb ischemia (ALLI) includes open surgical and percutaneous pharmaco-mechanical thromboembolectomy (TE). We hereby report our results with open surgical TE over a 10-year period and compare our outcomes using routine fluoroscopic assisted TE (FATE) with blind and selective on demand fluoroscopic-assisted TE (BSTE).

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent open surgical TE for acute lower limb ischemia at a single tertiary center between 2008 and 2018. Patients were divided into a group who underwent BSTE and another who underwent routine FATE. Data on presentation, medical history, surgery performed, and short-term outcomes were retrieved from medical record. Comparison between baseline characteristics and outcomes of both groups were made using t-test and chi-square analysis.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, 108 patients underwent surgical TE. Thirty-day mortality rate and 30-day major lower extremity amputation rate in the cohort were 12.0% and 6.5%, respectively. On subgroup analysis, 53 patients were treated by BSTE and 55 patients by FATE. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality rate (11.3% vs 12.7%, p-value = .82) and 30-day major amputation rate (9.4% vs 3.6%, p-value = .454) between the two groups. Local anesthesia was more frequently performed in patients undergoing FATE (58.2% vs 24.5%, p-value < .001). More than one arteriotomy was more frequently required in patients undergoing BSTE (2.6% vs 45.5%, p-value < .001). Patients with infrapopliteal involvement undergoing FATE required less further interventions such as patch angioplasty (2.6% vs 36.4%, p-value < .001) and bypass (2.6% vs 22.7%, p-value = .01).

CONCLUSION

ALLI remains a disease of high morbidity and mortality. Open surgical TE offers an effective approach to treat ALLI. The addition of fluoroscopy to the conduction of TE could be associated with valuable benefits, especially in patients with infra-popliteal involvement. Randomized controlled trials are needed to objectively assess the therapeutic potential of FATE.

Selective spinal anesthesia with hyperbaric prilocaine provides better perioperative pain control than local anesthesia for ambulatory inguinal hernia repair without affecting discharging time: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Local anesthesia is the most used anesthetic technique for inguinal hernia repair, despite its unpredictability. Selective spinal anesthesia with a short-term local anesthetic guarantees rapid recovery, predictable duration and low incidence of side effects. We tried to assess the efficacy of this neuraxial technique in ambulatory setting.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-two ASA I-III, aged > 18 patients scheduled for inguinal hernia repair have been randomized into two groups receiving unilateral spinal anesthesia with 40 mg of hyperbaric prilocaine (group A) or local anesthesia with mepivacaine (group B).

PRIMARY ENDPOINT

intraoperative and post-operative NRS. Other outcomes: sensory block onset, need for opiates and deep sedation, surgery duration, and time to discharge.

RESULTS

Group A: intraoperative NRS was 0 in 100% of patients; post-operative maximum NRS was > 3 in 12.12% of patients. Group B: mean intraoperative NRS was 4; mean post-operative NRS was 2.5. Spinal anesthesia resulted superior in controlling both intraoperative and post-operative pain (p < 0.00001; p = 0.008). Mean time of the motor block resolution in group A was 98 ± 2 min. Mean time to discharge was not significantly different between groups. Surgical time was significantly different between the two groups (mean time of 37 ± 3.2 min group A; 54 ± 6 min group B-p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Spinal anesthesia group patients had significantly less pain than local anesthesia group, both intraoperatively and post-operatively, without differences in time to discharge, incidence of complications and with improvement of surgical time. More randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT05136534 . Registered November 29, 2021-Retrospectively registered.

Intra-operative pain and patient satisfaction during lichtenstein repair under local anesthesia versus spinal anesthesia: an open-label randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

To compare pain during surgery among patients undergoing Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) under local anaesthesia (LA) and spinal anaesthesia (SA).

METHOD

Patients were randomized to undergo LIHR under LA or SA. Both intra-operative and postoperative pain was measured by NRS (numerical rating scale). Postoperative pain was managed similarly in both groups using intravenous diclofenac and paracetamol. Postoperative recovery, time to discharge, and early complications were recorded. Postoperative pain was assessed at 2, 6 and 24 h from the time of skin incision. Patient satisfaction was recorded on 5-point Likert scale 24 h after surgery.

RESULTS

Data of 30 patients of each group were analyzed. All patients successfully underwent operation using anaesthesia technique allocated. Median intra-operative pain was 0 (0,3) in SA and 2.5 (0,5) in LA group. In SA group, intra-operative pain did not exceed NRS 3, while in LA, pain greater than NRS 3 was reported in 30% patients. No patient required tramadol in either group during postoperative period. Minor postoperative complications were reported 9/30 (30%) in SA compared to 1/30 (3.33%) in LA group. The satisfaction rate was 67% in LA group, whereas 37% in SA group.

CONCLUSION

LA should be strongly considered for all patients with unilateral inguinal hernia undergoing open repair. In spite of a slightly more severe pain during surgery, patient satisfaction was higher using LA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was conducted as a part of a postgraduate thesis research work. The protocol was submitted to the University of Delhi after approval of the IEC. Registration with the Clinical Trials Registry of India was not successfully done.

Feasibility of Umbilical Hernia Repair Under Local Anesthesia and Monitored Anesthesia Care at a Veteran Affairs Hospital

BACKGROUND

Local anesthesia (LA) for open umbilical hernia tissue repair (OUHTR) is not widely utilized in academic centers in the United States. We hypothesize that LA for OUHTR is feasible in a veteran patient population.

METHODS

From 2015 to 2019, 449 umbilical hernias were repaired at our institution utilizing a standardized technique in veteran patients. OUHTR was included in this analysis (n = 283). Since 2017, 18.7% (n = 53) UH were repaired under LA. We compared outcomes and operative times between general anesthesia and LA in patients undergoing OUHTR. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine significance.

RESULTS

The entire cohort was composed of older (56.3 ± 12.1 years), White (75.5%), obese (body mass index [BMI] = 32.3 ± 4.6 kg/m²) men (98.0%). The average hernia size for the entire cohort was 2.42 ± 1.2 cm. The groups were similar in age and BMI. Patients with higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) (Odds ratio [OR] 3.1; 95% CI 1.5-6.8) and cardiovascular disease (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.0-7.2) were more likely to receive LA. Recurrence (0.0% vs 6.0%; P = .9) and 30-day complications (6.0% vs 13%; P = .9) were similar between LA and GA after correcting for hernia size. Operating room times were reduced in the LA group (17.7 minutes; P < .05). None of the patients with LA required postanesthesia care unit for recovery. The patients who received LA reported being comfortable (78.9% of patients), with the worst reported pain being 2.4 ± 2.4 (out of a scale of 10), and 94.7% would elect to receive LA if they had another hernia repair.

CONCLUSION

Patients who received LA had more cardiac disease and a higher ASA. Complications were similar between both groups. LA reduced operating room times. Patients were satisfied with LA.

Local anesthesia as an alternative option in repair of recurrent groin hernias: An outcome study from the American College of Surgeons NSQIP® database

Introduction

There is a dearth of data about the benefits of local anesthesia (LA) and spinal anesthesia (SA) compared to general anesthesia (GA) in patients undergoing repair of recurrent groin (inguinal/femoral) hernias. We hypothesized that patients with recurrent hernias who undergo repair under LA and SA will have a better outcome.

Methods and procedures

Using the 2017 American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)® database, patients who underwent open repair of recurrent groin hernias were identified and divided into three groups: GA, SA, and LA. Outcomes evaluated included 30-day mortality and morbidity, operative time, total hospital length of stay (LOS), and reoperation and readmission rates.

Results

A total of 2169 patients were identified of which 1847 (85.2%) were in GA, 53 (2.4%) in SA, and 269 (12.4%) in LA groups. Overall, no statistically significant differences in demographics and comorbidities between the three groups were identified. However, patients in GA were younger and healthier with lower ASA Class (I-II) as compared to SA and LA groups. Patients in SA had a higher rate of COPD, and their overall operative time was shorter. However, LA patients had shorter LOS, and most LA patients were discharged home on the same day compared to GA, SA (92.2% vs. 77.9%, and 73.6%, p < 0.001). No differences in 30-day mortality and morbidity or reoperation and readmission rates between the three groups were noted.

Conclusion

There is an underutilization of LA in patients undergoing open repair of recurrent inguinal hernia despite favorable outcomes, even in high-risk patients, when compared to GA and SA. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the potential barriers and cost-effectiveness of implementing LA as a primary anesthetic technique in inguinal hernia repair.

Predictors of long-term mortality in octogenarian veterans following inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

While elective inguinal hernia repair (IHR) in octogenarians carries a low 30-day mortality rate, long-term outcomes are uncharted. If on average, veteran octogenarians are expected to succumb to pre-existing cardiopulmonary disease within a year of diagnosis, watchful waiting might be advisable. This study interrogated long-term mortality and its predictors following elective IHR in veteran octogenarians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of 109 veterans (≥ 80 years of age), ten of which were nonagenarians who had an elective IHR. Data were dichotomized between deceased vs. non-deceased patients for univariable and multivariable analyses. Patient characteristics were also assessed in patients undergoing general (GA) vs. local (LA) anesthesia and corrected for unilateral repair and age. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated in corrected and uncorrected cohorts receiving GA vs. LA.

RESULTS

At the time of analysis, 46 (45.0%) octogenarians were deceased. The average time to death following IHR was 3.7 ± 2.9 years [range (37 days-12.4 years)]. Univariable analysis showed renal disease (19.9% vs. 5.3%), operative time (67.9 ± 29.0 vs. 56.1 ± 14.4 min) and use of GA (73.0% vs. 34.8%) associated with long-term mortality (all p < 0.01). Renal disease [odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) 4.1 (1.2-13.8)] and use of GA [5.0 (2.0-10.0)] were independent predictors of mortality. Patients undergoing LA (n = 62) were older, were more likely to have cardiac disease, and had a higher ASA compared to patients receiving GA (n = 47). After correcting for age, cardiac disease and higher ASA remained more common in patients submitting to LA. Long-term mortality was significantly higher in both matched and unmatched octogenarians undergoing GA.

CONCLUSION

Octogenarian veterans with a high burden of comorbid conditions are unlikely to experience short-term mortality because of their pre-existing conditions. Inguinal hernia repair should be offered to octogenarian veterans, but GA should be avoided whenever possible.

Inguinal hernia repair: a global perspective

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed worldwide with most of the burden of these occurring in low- or middle-income countries (LMICs). There has been much research investigating the most effective method of hernia repair in resource-rich countries, however very little has been done to determine the most cost-beneficial method of hernia repair in LMICs.

METHODS

A systematic review of the English literature through PubMed and Scopus was conducted according to the PRISMA statement.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight studies met the inclusion criteria of which 17 were randomised controlled trials and 11 were systematic reviews. Three areas of investigation were established from the literature search, namely operative method and type of mesh used (where applicable). Open-mesh procedures were shown to be less costly and have shorter operative times than laparoscopic methods. People who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair regularly returned to normal activities earlier than those who had open-mesh procedures. However, there was no other difference in complication rates between these two methods. Recent investigations have revealed that sterilised synthetic mosquito net was similar to hernia-specific meshes whilst significantly reducing cost.

CONCLUSION

We postulate that the most cost-beneficial method of hernia repair for implementation in LMICs is using open-mesh procedures with sterilised mosquito net under local anaesthetic. Further cost-benefit research is required in this area.

Results of Shouldice hernia repair after 18 years of follow-up in all the patients

PURPOSE

Evaluate the long-term efficacy of the Shouldice technique performed by non-specialized surgeons and also to reflex on the quality parameters necessary to safely assess hernia recurrence rates.

METHODS

During 3 years, a prospective study was conducted in 243 adult men who underwent surgery for primary inguinal hernias by 13 junior surgeons with an interest in hernia surgery. Using local anesthesia, a classic 4 step Shouldice repair, with polypropylene or polyester, was performed. All patients were followed for 18 years. The follow-up met the nine quality criteria proposed by the authors.

RESULTS

At 18 years, 80.2% of patients were followed and only 6.5% were lost. There were 7 recurrences in the first 10 years, 5 of them secondary to a direct hernia, and the same after 18 years. The recurrence rate was 2.88%. Tolerance of the local anesthesia was excellent in 91.4%of patients and, after 3 years, the pain was considered moderate or severe in 4 patients (1.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to incorporate more demanding criteria in the assessment of recurrence, to give more valid results. The Shouldice technique remains a useful technique today not only in patients under 30 years of age, and in the absence of risk factors, but also in cases of intolerance, patient rejection or absence of mesh. In addition, it provides the clinical and economic advantages of being possible to perform it under local anesthesia.

Hearing Outcomes and Complications in Stapes Surgery for Otosclerosis Performed Under General or Local Anesthesia

OBJECTIVE

Stapes surgery is highly successful in reducing or eliminating the audiometric air-bone gap (ABG) related to otosclerosis, and it can be performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. Literature on the relative outcomes of these 2 modalities is lacking. The purpose of this study was to compare hearing outcomes for these 2 modalities in a large patient population.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective review.

SETTING

Large otology referral center.

METHODS

Patients undergoing primary stapes surgery for otosclerosis from 2005 to 2017 were grouped by anesthetic modality and their cases reviewed. Pre- and postoperative ABGs were primary outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 580 patients undergoing stapes surgery were included: 46% received local anesthesia and 54% received general anesthesia. These 2 groups were similar in demographic and disease characteristics. Mean preoperative ABGs were 25.6 and 26.6 dB for patients undergoing local and general anesthesia, respectively (P = .2); mean postoperative ABGs were 9.5 and 9.7 dB (P = .9). There were no significant differences in the rates of complications, the need for revision surgery, or the need to abort surgery intraoperatively between local and general anesthesia.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with limited prior data, in this cohort stapes surgery yielded similar hearing outcomes whether performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. While we report the largest sample size to date, this study, like previous work, carries the potential for sampling bias. Prospective study comparing local and general anesthesia for stapes surgery is needed.

LAW Trial - The Impact of Local Anesthetics Infiltration in Surgical Wound for Gastrointestinal Procedures (LAW): A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Prior studies have suggested that infiltration of local anesthetics reduce the rate of surgical site infections (SSIs). Opioid usage has become an epidemic. Some analgesic modalities, such as epidural analgesia and transversus abdominis plane block are associated with shorter length of stay and lower opioid use. The aim of our study was to assess the relationship between local infiltration of bupivacaine with rates of SSI and pain control.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective, double-blinded randomized controlled trial in patients who underwent open major gastrointestinal procedures from July 2016 to June 2017. Patients were divided into two groups based on administration of 0.5% bupivacaine (n = 30) (group 1) or placebo (n = 30) (control group). Outcomes evaluated were SSI, postoperative opioid requirements and pain scores.

RESULTS

Patients in the bupivacaine group required a lower dose of epidural analgesia during the first 24 h (5.3 mcg/kg/h vs. 6.4 mcg/kg/h; p = 0.05). Opioid requirement was shorter in the bupivacaine group (3.5 ± 2.3 days vs. 5.7 ± 2.9 days; p = 0.01). No difference was found between groups in terms of SSI rates (0% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.49).

CONCLUSIONS

There is no clear association between bupivacaine infiltration and reduction of SSI rate according to our study. Wound bupivacaine infiltration is associated with a lower dose of epidural infusion and opioid requirements.