Litigation following groin hernia repair in England

Purpose

Since 1995, litigation following surgical procedures has cost the National Health Service (NHS) over 1.3 billion GBP (Great British Pounds)/2.1 billion USD (United States Dollars)/1.4 billion Euros. Despite it being the most commonly undertaken general surgical operation, no study has examined clinical negligence claims in England following groin hernia repairs.

Methods

Data from the NHS Litigation Authority of all claims made from 1995 to 2009 was obtained and interrogated.

Results

In total, 398 claims were made. Of these, 209 cases had been settled, of which 144 (46.6%) were in favour of the claimant to a cost of 7.35 million GBP/12 million USD/7.93 million Euros. Testicular injury and chronic pain featured in 40% of all claims. Visceral injuries and injuries requiring corrective procedures were the only predictors of a successful claim (P = 0.015 and P = 0.002, respectively). Claims associated with visceral and vascular injuries were more likely to occur in laparoscopic than in open repairs. Sexual dysfunction and chronic pain resulted in the highest average payouts of 85,467 GBP/140,565 USD/92,177 Euros and 81,288 GBP/133,693 USD/87,674 Euros, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients should be fully informed of the incidence of testicular injury and chronic pain during the consent process. Approaches minimising visceral and vascular injury particularly in laparoscopic repair should be adopted to reduce litigation and improve patient care.     

Risk factors related with unfavorable outcomes in groin hernia repairs

Purpose

Hernia repairs are a common surgical procedure, and are associated with a significant cost. Despite the acceptance of the advantages of early elective hernia repairs, the incidence of emergency admissions with complicated presentations remains high, and the natural history of an untreated hernia is not obvious. This study aimed to define risk factors related with unfavorable outcomes in groin hernia repairs.

Methods

We analyzed the records of 685 elective or emergency repairs of groin hernias between December 2005 and June 2009. Patient age ranged from 17 to 85 years, with 240 (35%) of patients being older than 60 years of age. Indirect inguinal hernias were the most common hernia type in both sexes of patients. Coexisting cardiopulmonary problems were noted in 294 male and 33 female patients. American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grades 3 and 4 were encountered in 61 (9%) patients. Data were analyzed by chi-square test.

Results

Significantly high incarceration and strangulation rates were found in females and femoral hernia type. The overall morbidity rate was 7%, major complications 3%. No mortality was observed in the series and postoperative complications were significantly more common in patients with high ASA score and severe coexisting cardiopulmonary problems. Advanced age, delayed admission, femoral type hernia and female sex were also linked with unfavorable outcomes.

Conclusions

The risk of complicated presentation and unfavorable outcome in patients with groin hernia is significant in the presence of factors such as advanced age, femoral hernia, female sex, delayed admission, severe coexisting cardiopulmonary problems and high ASA score. Although it is difficult to estimate the natural history of untreated hernia, hernia repairs of patients with the above-mentioned risk factors should be timely and elective.     

股疝患者急诊手术的危险因素分析

目的探讨股疝患者急诊手术的相关危险因素。 方法回顾性分析2013年1月至2018年1月,中信惠州医院行股疝手术病程超过1个月103例患者的临床资料。根据手术时机分为急诊手术组（53例）和择期手术组（50例）。对2组患者的临床指标进行单因素分析,将单因素分析中具有统计学意义的因素纳入多因素Logistics回归分析,以确定其是否为股疝急诊手术的独立危险因素。 结果单因素分析结果显示,2组间年龄、病程、肝硬化、高血压和慢性阻塞性肺疾病比较,差异均有统计学意义（P<0.001、0.004、0.002、0.036、0.001）。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,年龄、病程、肝硬化和慢性阻塞性肺疾病是急诊手术的独立危险因素（OR=1.062、1.099、11.408、5.558,P=0.026、0.016、0.034、0.042）。 结论高龄、病程较长、合并肝硬化和合并慢性阻塞性肺疾病对病程超过1个月的股疝患者的手术时机选择的影响不容忽视。     

Outcome of patients with severe chronic pain following repair of groin hernia

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is the most serious long-term complication that can occur after repair of a groin hernia. The aim of this study was to assess the outcome of patients who report severe or very severe pain 3 months after groin hernia repair. METHODS: This was a population-based study of all patients who underwent repair of a groin hernia between April 1998 and March 1999 in Scotland. All received a postal questionnaire 3 months after hernia repair and those who reported severe or very severe pain at the operation site were asked to complete a further questionnaire 2.5 years later. The main outcome measure included the number of patients with persistent pain and the effect of pain on daily activities and quality of life. RESULTS: Of 5506 patients who underwent repair of a groin hernia, 4062 (74 per cent) returned the first questionnaire and 125 (3 per cent) reported severe or very severe pain. Eight-six (72 per cent) of 120 patients (five had died or could not be contacted at the original address) replied to the second questionnaire; 61 (71 per cent) still reported pain, which was severe or very severe pain in 22 (26 per cent) and mild or very mild in 39 (45 per cent). Twenty-nine (48 per cent) sought further medical help from their general practitioner or surgeon. Nine (15 per cent) attended a pain clinic while five (8 per cent) had further surgery. Chronic pain had significant effects (P < 0.001) on all daily activities including walking, work, sleep, relationships with other people, mood and general enjoyment of life. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain persists in most patients who report severe or very severe pain at 3 months after hernia repair, and has a significant effect on the patients' daily activities and quality of life.     

腹腔镜经腹腹膜前疝修补术后皮下积液的危险因素分析

目的探讨腹腔镜经腹腹膜前疝修补术（TAPP）后皮下积液的发生率及高危因素分析。 方法回顾性分析2017年2月至2018年2月江苏省淮安市肿瘤医院TAPP治疗的82例原发性单侧腹股沟疝患者的临床资料,应用单因素及Logistic多因素分析患者术后皮下积液发生率的相关高危因素。 结果单因素分析表明显示网片固定方式、腹股沟疝缺损大小及腹股沟疝类型对术后皮下积液的发生率有着非常显著的影响（P<0.05）,而性别、年龄、体质量指数、ASA评分及是否合并内科疾病不相关（P>0.05）。多因素分析显示缺损大小分级越高及未固定网片均是皮下积液发生的独立危险因素。 结论TAPP治疗腹股沟疝术后皮下积液的发生率与网片固定方式及腹股沟疝缺损大小相关。     

Tobacco use is not associated with groin hernia repair,a population-based study

Purpose

The pathogenesis of groin hernia is not fully understood and some suggested risk factors are debatable. This population-based study evaluates the association between groin hernia repair and tobacco use.

Method

An observational study based on register linkage between the Swedish Hernia Register and the Västerbotten Intervention Program (VIP). All primary groin hernia repairs performed from 2001 to 2013 in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, were included.

Results

VIP provided data on the use of tobacco in 102,857 individuals. Neither smoking nor the use of snus, increased the risk for requiring a groin hernia repair. On the contrary, heavy smoking decreased the risk for men, HR 0.75 (95% CI 0.58–0.96), as did having a BMI over 30 kg/m² HR (men) 0.33 (95% CI 0.27–0.40).

Conclusion

Tobacco use is not a risk factor for requiring a groin hernia repair, whereas having a low BMI significantly increases the risk.

     

腹股沟疝无张力修补术后并发症的多发因素分析

目的：探讨腹股沟疝无张力修补术术后并发症发生的危险因素。方法回顾性分析2010年1月至2013年9月,安徽医科大学第三附属医院收治的497例腹股沟疝无张力修补术患者的临床资料。研究术后的并发症发生率与临床病例因素的关系。结果497例患者中,术后出现并发症46例（切口感染10例,浆液样肿8例,阴囊肿胀13例,异物感及慢性疼痛15例）。单因素分析显示,患者的体重指数（BMI）、疝环粘连程度与术后并发症的发生有关,患者的性别（χ2＝0．120,P＝0．729）、年龄（χ2＝0．005,P＝0．945）、疝类型（χ2＝0．042,P＝0．979）、疝囊大小（χ2＝0．174,P＝0．676）、补片类型（χ2＝0．226,P＝0．635）、麻醉方式（χ2＝0．001,P＝0．977）与术后的并发症发生无关。Logistic多因素回归分析显示,患者的BMI指数（P＝0．018）和疝环粘连程度（P＝0．045）与术后并发症的发生均有关。结论患者的BMI指数和疝环粘连程度是影响腹股沟疝无张力修补术后并发症发生的独立危险因素。     

无张力修补术治疗腹股沟疝

目的　总结疝环充填式无张力疝修补术的近期临床效果。方法　自 1 999年 1 0月～2 0 0 3年 8月采用Lichtenstein和Mesh plug两种手术方法对 1 1 8例腹股沟疝患者行无张力疝修补术。结果　全部治愈 ,患者术后平均 1d下床活动 ,平均住院天数 6 .5d。并发尿潴留 3例 ,8例术后切口疼痛 ,其中 3例于手术当晚使用止痛剂 ,阴囊肿胀 4例 ,7d内吸收消退。无切口感染及其它明显并发症 ,复发 1例 ,复发率 0 .9%。结论　无张力疝修补术很少游离正常解剖 ,并确保了无张力修补 ,这是患者迅速恢复及低复发率的两个最重要因素。此术式尤其适合治疗老年性腹股沟疝及复发疝     

Laparoscopic transperitoneal procedure for routine repair of groin hernia

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic transperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP) repair of inguinal hernias is thought to be a difficult surgical technique with high complication rates. The present study evaluated TAPP based on prospective documentation. METHODS: The primary aim of the study was analysis of the individual learning curve, comparing consultants with trainees. Secondary endpoints included postoperative morbidity, time of disability and rate of recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 8050 TAPP repairs have been performed since 1993. By 2001, 99.9 per cent of all hernia repairs were done by TAPP. The median operation time dropped from 50 min in the first 600 cases to 42 min thereafter. The morbidity rate decreased from 9.3 to 2.6 per cent, and the rate of recurrence from 4.8 to 0.4 per cent. Within the same interval the proportion of training procedures increased from 1.7 to 44.9 per cent in 2001. Morbidity and recurrence rates were similar for trainees and consultants. CONCLUSION: TAPP is an effective and safe technique. It can be performed in a standard way for all inguinal and femoral hernias. The present results indicate that TAPP is possible in a routine setting, as well as in the training situation for young surgeons.     

Ambulatory surgery for groin hernia: the Gilbert repair

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the Gilbert repair for primary treatment of indirect inguinal hernias performed as day cases. From September 1996 to September 1998, 145 patients who were admitted for ambulatory surgery underwent Gilbert tension-free repair for treatment of unilateral inguinal hernia. Sex, age, the American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) preoperative assessment score, type of anaesthesia, operating time, postoperative recovery, postoperative pain, morbidity, mortality, recurrence, return to work and the normal daily activities were assessed. The mean follow-up was 21 months (range 12-36). Gilbert's classification, type 2 and 3 hernias were the most common. Spinal anaesthesia was used in 73% of patients. Mortality was zero. Four patients developed postoperative haematomas, two urinary retention, three seromas, and two wound infections. During the follow-up period, only two recurrences of hernia were noted (1.4%). In conclusion, these data show that Gilbert repair is a safe operation, which is simple to learn. It can be performed on an outpatient basis, with a low complication rate, a low level of pain and a short recovery period. Although it seems to have a low risk of recurrence, a long-term follow-up is needed.     

Re-operation due to severe late-onset persisting groin pain following anterior inguinal hernia repair with mesh

Objectives  Mild pain lasting for a few days is common following mesh inguinal hernia repair. In some patients however, severe groin pain may appear months or even years postoperatively. The aim of this study was to report our experience of late-onset persisting severe postoperative groin pain occurring years after mesh hernioplasty. Methods  In a 9-year period, 1,633 patients (1,073 men), median age 63 years (range 19–88), underwent mesh groin hernia repair. Between 1.5 and 4 years postoperatively, six patients (0.35%) presented with severe chronic groin pain unrelieved by conservative measures and surgical exploration was essential. The patients’ records were retrospectively reviewed for the purpose of this study. Results  Ilioinguinal nerve entrapment was detected in four patients. The meshes appeared to be indistinguishable from the nerve and were removed along with the stuck nerve. New meshes were properly inserted. Mesh fixation on the periostium of the pubic tubercle by a staple was found in the other two patients. The staples were removed from the periostium in both patients. Neither hernia recurrence nor chronic groin pain was persisting in all six patients during a follow-up of 6–44 months postoperatively. Conclusion  From the results of this study, it appears that ilioinguinal nerve entrapment and/or mesh fixation on the periostium of the pubic tubercle are the causes of late-onset severe chronic pain after inguinal mesh hernioplasty. Mesh removal, along with the stuck ilioinguinal nerve and staple detachment from the periostium, are the gold-standard techniques if conservative measures fail to reduce pain.     

前入路腹膜前间隙修补治疗腹股沟疝临床体会

目的：探讨前入路腹膜前间隙修补腹股沟疝的临床应用效果。方法回顾性分析2008年10月至2011年10月,涡阳县人民医院行前入路腹膜前间隙修补腹股沟疝,对其手术时间、住院时间、术后早期反应、术后并发症及复发率进行分析。结果腹膜前间隙置单纯平片手术时间。伤口疼痛,伤口异物感明显低,恢复自主活动时间短,住院时间短。术后随访1∽5年,无复发。结论前入路腹膜前间隙置修补腹股沟疝,手术后并发症少,手术安全有效。     

Laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block for groin hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous ilioinguinal nerve block may reduce postoperative pain after open groin hernia repair but may be complicated by transient femoral nerve palsy in some patients. The technique of laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block is reported, and its benefits assessed in patients undergoing laparoscopic total extraperitoneal groin hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, patients who had laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block during groin hernia repair were assessed in the post-anaesthetic recovery room and the day surgery ward. Need for opiate analgesia in the recovery room and the day surgery ward was recorded. Verbal pain scores (on a scale of 0 to 3) on rest and leg movement were noted. RESULTS: Thirty-two consecutive men and one woman, mean age 49 years (range, 29-76 years), had laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of groin hernia with ilioinguinal nerve block. Postoperatively, 18% of the patients required opiate analgesia in the recovery room and none in the day surgery ward. Median verbal pain scores at rest and movement were 0 (range, 0-2) and 1 (range, 0-3), respectively. No patient developed transient femoral nerve block. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopically guided ilioinguinal nerve block may be applied safely and with improved postoperative comfort after groin hernia repair.