Risk factors for contralateral inguinal hernia repair after unilateral inguinal hernia repair in male adult patients: analysis from a nationwide population based cohort study

Incidence and risk factors of metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia development up to 25 years after unilateral inguinal hernia repair: a single-centre retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia repair (IHR) are at risk of metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia (MCIH) development. We evaluated incidence and risk factors of MCIH development up to 25 years after unilateral IHR to determine possible indications for concomitant prophylactic surgery of the contralateral groin at the time of primary surgery.

METHODS

Patients between 18 and 70 years of age undergoing elective unilateral IHR in the University Hospital of Leuven from 1995 to 1999 were studied retrospectively using the electronic health records and prospectively via phone calls. Study aims were MCIH incidence and risk factor determination. Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed and univariable and multivariable Cox regressions were performed.

RESULTS

758 patients were included (91% male, median age 53 years). Median follow-up time was 21.75 years. The incidence of operated MCIH after 5 years was 5.6%, after 15 years 16.1%, and after 25 years 24.7%. The incidence of both operated and non-operated MCIH after 5 years was 5.9%, after 15 years 16.7%, and after 25 years 29.0%. MCIH risk increased with older age and decreased in primary right-sided IHR and higher BMI at primary surgery.

CONCLUSION

The overall incidence of MCIH after 25-year follow-up is 29.0%. Potential risk factors for the development of a MCIH are primary left-sided inguinal hernia repair, lower BMI, and older age. When considering prophylactic repair, we suggest a patient-specific approach taking into account these risk factors, the surgical approach and the risk factors for chronic postoperative inguinal pain.

Update of the international HerniaSurge guidelines for groin hernia management

BACKGROUND

Groin hernia repair is one of the most common operations performed globally, with more than 20 million procedures per year. The last guidelines on groin hernia management were published in 2018 by the HerniaSurge Group. The aim of this project was to assess new evidence and update the guidelines. The guideline is intended for general and abdominal wall surgeons treating adult patients with groin hernias.

METHOD

A working group of 30 international groin hernia experts and all involved stakeholders was formed and examined all new literature on groin hernia management, available until April 2022. Articles were screened for eligibility and assessed according to GRADE methodologies. New evidence was included, and chapters were rewritten. Statements and recommendations were updated or newly formulated as necessary.

RESULTS

Ten chapters of the original HerniaSurge inguinal hernia guidelines were updated. In total, 39 new statements and 32 recommendations were formulated (16 strong recommendations). A modified Delphi method was used to reach consensus on all statements and recommendations among the groin hernia experts and at the European Hernia Society meeting in Manchester on October 21, 2022.

CONCLUSION

The HerniaSurge Collaboration has updated the international guidelines for groin hernia management. The updated guidelines provide an overview of the best available evidence on groin hernia management and include evidence-based statements and recommendations for daily practice. Future guideline development will change according to emerging guideline methodology.

Risk factors for early and late morbidity in patients with cardiovascular disease undergoing inguinal hernia repair with a tailored approach: a single-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

Inguinal hernia repair is a common procedure in surgery. Patients with cardiovascular disease have an increased operative risk for postoperative morbidity. The study aimed to identify the most beneficial surgical procedure for these patients.

METHODS

Patients undergoing elective surgery for unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia between December 2015 and February 2020 were included. The cohort was divided into the group of patients with (CVD group) and without (NO group) cardiovascular disease and analyzed according to the postoperative morbidity distribution and correlated to the surgical technique used.

RESULTS

Of the 474 patients included 223 (47%) were operated on using the Lichtenstein technique and 251 (53%) using TAPP, respectively. In the CVD group the Lichtenstein procedure was more common (n = 102, 68.9%), in the NO group it was TAPP (n = 205, 62.9%; p < 0.001). 13 (8.8%) patients in the CVD group and 12 (3.7%) patients in the NO group developed a postoperative hematoma (p = 0.023). In the further subgroup analysis within the CVD group revealed cumarine treatment as a risk factor for postoperative hematoma development, whereas the laparoscopic approach did not elevate the morbidity risk.

CONCLUSION

CVD is a known risk factor for perioperative morbidity in general surgery, however, the TAPP method does not elevate the individual perioperative risk.

Sex-specific genetic variants associated with adult-onset inguinal hernia in a Taiwanese population

Introduction: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgeries worldwide. However, there is limited information on its underlying genetic mechanism. Studies on the genetic factors related to inguinal hernia in Han Chinese are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a hospital-based study to assess the genetic factors and comorbidities underlying inguinal hernia in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Utilizing data from the Taiwan Precision Medicine Initiative, we identified 1000 patients with inguinal hernia and 10,021 matched controls without inguinal hernia between June 2019 and June 2020. Four susceptibility loci (rs2009262, rs13091322, rs6991952, and rs3809060) associated with inguinal hernia were genotyped by the Taiwan Biobank version 2 (TWBv2) array. Inguinal hernia, surgery types, and comorbidities were obtained from the electronic health records of Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Results: Adult-onset inguinal hernia was associated with WT1 rs3809060 GT/TT genotype in males and EFEMP1 rs2009262 TC/CC genotype in females. In addition, we identified sex-specific risk factors associated with inguinal hernia; benign prostatic hyperplasia in males (OR: 3.19, 95% CI: 2.73 - 3.73, p< 0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in females (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.33 - 4.11, p = 0.003) and overweight, defined by body mass index ≧24 kg/m² (OR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.65 - 0.86, p<0.001 in males, and OR: 0.60, 95% CI:0.37 - 0.98, p = 0.042 in females), were inversely associated with inguinal hernia. After stratifying BMI, overweight males with EFEMP1 rs2009262 TC/CC genotype exhibited a higher risk of inguinal hernia (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07 - 1.61, p = 0.01). Additionally, rs3809060 was specifically associated with male patients with direct-type inguinal hernia (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.19 - 2.22, p = 0.002). Conclusion: Genetic susceptibility appears to participate in the pathogenesis of inguinal hernia in the Taiwanese population in a sex-specific manner. Future studies are needed to illuminate the complex interplay between heredity and comorbidities.

Should asymptomatic contralateral inguinal hernia be laparoscopically repaired in the adult population as benefits greatly outweigh risks? A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

When laparoscopically repairing a symptomatic inguinal hernia, surgeons will discover a contralateral asymptomatic hernia in 22% of patients. It is estimated 30% of asymptomatic hernias become symptomatic and require repair. Thus, should they be repaired in a 2-for-1 operation? The main purpose is to examine the evidence and make a recommendation for the need to repair the contralateral asymptomatic inguinal hernia prophylactically in the adult population during unilateral inguinal hernia presentation.

METHOD

A systematic literature search was conducted up to 15 February 2021 using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Management pathway taken, mean operating time, duration of follow-up, pain, duration of hospital stay and perioperative complications were extracted. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool.

RESULTS

Six non-randomised studies (1774 patients) were included; 978 patients had both hernias repaired, 796 patients had only the symptomatic hernia repaired. There was no significant difference in length of hospital stay, return to activities of daily living nor complications. Mean operating time was slightly lower for patients who had unilateral hernia repair (mean difference = - 14.57 min, 95%CI - 25.59, - 3.45). Reported pain scores were lower for patients who only had one hernia repaired (- 0.33 units, 95%CI - 0.48, - 0.18). The overall risk of bias for the six studies were low-to-moderate risk.

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic inguinal hernias can be repaired when found. While there is minimal increase in operation time and pain, no significant difference to total hospital stay. Importantly, this is likely to prevent the need for another operation in almost a third of patients.

Congenital collagenopathies increased the risk of inguinal hernia developing and repair: analysis from a nationwide population-based cohort study

Herein, we aimed to explore whether male patients with congenital collagen diseases had a higher risk of inguinal herniation than patients without these diseases. Data were retrospectively collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The study cohort included 1,801 male patients diagnosed with congenital collagen diseases based on the ICD-9 CM diagnostic codes; after propensity score matching, the control group comprised 6,493 men without congenital collagen diseases. The primary endpoint was inguinal hernia repair during the observation period. During a median follow-up period of 133.9 months, the risk of inguinal herniation in the collagen group was significantly higher than that in the control group (HR = 2.237, 95% CI 1.646-3.291, p < 0.001). This phenomenon was observed in patients younger than 18 years (HR: 3.040, 95% CI 1.819-5.083, p < 0.001) and in those aged 18-80 years (HR: 1.909, 95% CI 1.186-3.073, p < 0.001). Asian men with congenital collagen diseases are at a high risk of developing inguinal hernias, regardless of age. Detailed physical examination and patient education should be performed for these patients to prevent inguinal herniation.

Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) Groin Hernia Repair in Patients After Contralateral TEP Groin Hernia Repair

BACKGROUND

The totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair for groin hernia is considered difficult in patients with a healed surgical scar in the lower abdomen. We reported the feasibility of repair in those patients and found that the most frequent previous procedure in patients for whom the procedure was changed intraoperatively was a contralateral TEP after TEP repair. We now report an expanded patient cohort with a suggested unified treatment strategy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From 2006 to 2020, 443 patients underwent laparoscopic TEP groin hernia repair. A contralateral TEP after TEP repair was performed in 35 patients. The conversion rate after TEP was compared with that after other operations. Patients were divided into completed contralateral TEP after TEP repair (N=28) and changed procedure groups (N=7). Clinical characteristics were compared including age, body mass index, location and type of hernia, and interval after previous surgery. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate risk factors for conversion of the TEP procedure.

RESULTS

Patients undergoing contralateral TEP after TEP repair were significantly overrepresented among patients for whom the procedure was changed compared with other previous operations (P<0.01), with an odds ratio of 19.91. Comparing completed TEP after TEP repair and changed procedure groups, there were no significant differences regarding age (mean: 67 vs. 69 y old), body mass index (22.4 vs. 22.5 kg/m2), type of hernia (indirect or direct), or duration after previous TEP repair (median: 642 vs. 470 d) and identified no significant risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

The contralateral TEP after TEP repair for groin hernia is feasible. However, dense adhesions may be present if balloon dissection was performed at the previous TEP repair, and it is necessary to carefully dissect being ready to convert to other procedures such as TAPP repair or an anterior approach.

Long-term outcomes of single-incision versus multiport laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair: a single-institution experience of 186 consecutive cases

PURPOSE

This retrospective study was conducted to compare the long-term outcomes of single-incision totally extraperitoneal (S-TEP) inguinal hernia repair and conventional multiport totally extraperitoneal (M-TEP) inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS

The study population included 186 consecutive patients (S-TEP, n = 149; M-TEP, n = 37) who underwent elective surgery for inguinal hernia at Osaka Police Hospital between 2011 and 2013.

RESULTS

No significant between-group difference was found in patient or hernia characteristics or in perioperative outcomes, with the exception of age (S-TEP group vs. M-TEP group: median 69 [IQR 60-75] years vs. 64 [55-69] years, respectively; P = 0.019). Furthermore, no significant between-group difference was found in follow-up time (5.5 [3.0-5.8] vs. 5.4 [3.1-5.7] years, P = 0.839), recurrence rate (0.6 vs. 2.4%, P = 0.358), chronic pain (1.2 vs. 0%, P = 1.000), feeling the mesh (2.3 vs. 7.1%, P = 0.142), or movement limitation (0.6 vs. 0%, P = 1.000). All chronic symptoms were "mild but not bothersome." A metachronous contralateral inguinal hernia developed in 8.1% of patients.

CONCLUSION

The long-term outcomes of S-TEP repair were comparable to those of M-TEP, with rates of recurrence, chronic pain, feeling the mesh, and movement limitation falling within acceptable limits.

Previous unilateral inguinal hernia repair increase risk of new developed inguinal hernia: a nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study in Asian male adult patients

INTRODUCTION

Our study aims to identify that patients who received hernia repair previously did have higher risk of occurrence of newly developed inguinal hernia, named as a contralateral inguinal hernia (CIH), than patients who never received inguinal hernia surgery before.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We collected data from the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan retrospectively. In the study cohort, 64,089 Asian male adults who underwent primary unilateral inguinal hernia repair during 2003-2008 were included using ICD-9 diagnostic and surgical codes. Another 64,089 male adults without hernia repair history were included as control group via propensity score match.

RESULTS

The median follow-up period is 93.53 months. After multivariate analysis, the risk of newly developed inguinal hernia in unilateral inguinal hernia (UIH) repair cohort was significantly higher (adjusted HR 6.364, 95% CI 6.012-6.737, P < 0.001) than the control group. In subgroup analysis, patients without mesh repair (adjusted HR 6.706, P < 0.001) and patients with mesh repair (adjusted HR 5.559, P < 0.001) both showed higher risk of developing newly developed inguinal hernia which needs repair.

CONCLUSIONS

Asian men with UIH repair history had a higher risk of developing new inguinal hernia at the contralateral site, namely CIH, than the general population. The surgeon should inform the possibility of CIH after initial herniorrhaphy, therefore, monitoring the occurrence of CIH is necessary.

Comparison of Single-Port Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Hernioplasty Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Hernioplasty : A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the safety and outcomes of single-port laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (SPLTEP) and conventional laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (CLTEP) hernioplasty.

METHODS

Retrospectively, we collected patients who underwent a laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) male patients aged >20 years, (2) untreated hernia, and (3) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≤3. The exclusion criteria included: (1) additional procedures received during surgery, (2) inguinoscrotal hernia, (3) ASA score >3, (4) previous lower abdominal surgery, (5) bleeding disorders, and (6) incarcerated, obstructed, strangulated, or recurrent inguinal hernias. Patients were classified into SPLTEP and CLTEP groups. The demographics, body mass index (BMI), ASA score, comorbidities, blood loss, operation time, postoperative length of stay (LOS)/complications, hernia recurrence, visual analog scale (VAS), and postoperative analgesic requirements were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 246 patients were enrolled. There were 103 patients in the SPLTEP group and 143 patients in the CLTEP group. The mean age was 56.1 ± 16.2 years versus 57.9 ± 15.1 years. There were no significances in demographics, BMI, ASA score, comorbidities, blood loss, operation time, postoperative LOS/complications, and hernia recurrence. The SPLTEP group had a shorter postoperative LOS, lower VAS at 18 hours postoperation, and a reduced amount of 24-hour postoperative analgesics.

CONCLUSION

SPLTEP hernioplasty is as safe as the CLTEP procedure. In addition, the SPLTEP group had a shorter LOS and a lower VAS score and required less postoperative analgesics. Further studies may focus on long-term complications, hernia recurrence, and chronic pain in these 2 groups.

Modified port positions for totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair for groin hernias: our experience

BACKGROUND

Totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP) is the preferred method of inguinal hernia repair for many surgeons worldwide. However, because of limited working space, there may be difficulties when operating on large and irreducible groin hernias and short stature patients. There are many ways in which the port positions can be modified during TEP for different kinds of hernias and according to the comfort of the surgeons.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. We describe two different variations in port placement for TEP in patients with large irreducible hernias and short stature patients.

RESULTS

A total of 19 procedures were performed with these port positions. Most of these were large irreducible hernias or patients with short stature. With these modified port positions, difficult hernias could be completed with extraperitoneal approach. We had no recurrence and 5 seromas that eventually settled in 1-3 months.

CONCLUSION

Modified port positions in TEP by shifting the ports farther away can be useful for hernias where the surgery is difficult due to limited working space and is a good alternative to TAPP.

Management of Occult Contralateral Inguinal Hernia: Diagnosis and Treatment With Laparoscopic Totally Extra Peritoneal Repair

BACKGROUND

Up to 33% risk of occult contralateral inguinal hernia has been reported. This study aims to evaluate diagnostic and treatment modalities in the case of occult contralateral hernia and the role of ultrasonography (USG).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients who had undergone inguinal hernia repair between 2009 and 2018 were studied retrospectively. The detection rate of occult inguinal hernia by USG and results of laparoscopic totally extra peritoneal repair (TEP) were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 295 patients, USG was performed to the contralateral site in 80 with clinically unilateral hernia and occult hernia was detected in 44 (55%). Bilateral TEP was performed for these patients. There was no recurrence and no significant complication.

CONCLUSIONS

As it is noninvasive, easily accessible and has high sensitivity, USG is recommended in diagnosis. In the case of occult contralateral inguinal hernia, bilateral TEP is considered as a safe procedure. Thus, the need for a second operation and related complications can be prevented. We recommend routine USG to detect whether contralateral occult inguinal hernia is present.

Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair in patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by ascites

To investigate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair in patients with inguinal hernia accompanied by liver cirrhosis.Between October 2015 and May 2018, 17 patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent TEP repair were included in this study. The baseline characteristics, perioperative data, and recurrence were retrospectively reviewed.Seventeen patients with a mean duration of 18.23 ± 16.80 months were enrolled. All TEP repairs were successful without conversion to trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) surgery or open repair, but 4 patients had peritoneum rupture during dissection. The mean operation time was 54.23 ± 10.51 minutes for unilateral hernia and 101.25 ± 13.77 minutes for bilateral hernias. We found 2 cases with contralateral inguinal hernia and 2 cases with obturator hernia during surgery. The rate of complication was 17.65% (3/17), 2 of 3 cases were Child-Turcotte-Pugh C with large ascites. During a follow-up of 19.29 ± 9.01 months, no patients had recurrence and chronic pain, but 2 patients died because of the progression of underlying liver disease.Early and elective inguinal hernia repair is feasible and effective for patients with liver cirrhosis. TEP is a feasible and safe repair option for cirrhotic patients in experienced hands.