INGUINAL HERNIA SURGERY AT DEPARTMENT OF ABDOMINAL SURGERY, GENERAL HOSPITAL MARIBOR IN THE YEARS 2000 AND 2001 AND COMPARISON WITH THE YEARS 1996 AND 1997

Abstract

Background. Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world and as that represents a huge socio-economic problem. Today, surgeon can significantly improve outcome for many patients with proper patients selection, proper anaesthesia and surgical technique. In this article two different time intervals are reviewed. Between those intervals surgeons began to change their attitudes about hernia surgery approach and »tensionfree« concept became widely accepted. We also operated many patients under local anaesthesia, which has many advantages between which is lesser need for preoperative investigations and faster mobilisation.

Methods. In article charts from all patients operated for inguinal hernia in years 1996, 1997, 2000 and 2001 at the Department for abdominal surgery in Maribor.

Results. 1602 patients were operated for inguinal hernia in four years. We noticed that less patients were operated in years 2000/2001 then in the earlier interval. Number of the patients operated under general anaesthesia was relatively high in first period but in the second interval majority of the patients were operated under subarachnoidal and local anaesthesia. While most patients in years 1996 and 1997 were operated with original Bassini’s technique and its modifications, majority of patients in years 2000 and 2001 were treated with tension-free technique.

Conclusions. Our experiences with tension free techniques are very good. There are many advantages for patients, operated this way: less pooperative pain, faster recovery and earlier return to normal activities and work. We couldn’t prove any benefits considering recurrences in our study yet, probably because of two short observation period.