Management of external hernias: analysis of 1020 [corrected] cases

A prospective study was done to find out the incidence of different external hernias, identify the predisposing factors and type of repair performed. Over a period of 8 years, 1020 patients were admitted with different varieties of external hernias in Chittagong Medical College Hospital. Among them 743 patients had inguinal hernia, 130 had incisional hernia, 58% had indirect inguinal hernia, 29% had direct inguinal hernia, Bilateral inguinal hernia was present in 13% cases. 272 (32.08%) presented with complications like, irreducibility, obstruction, strangulation, 576 (67.92%) was admitted from out-patient department for elective operation. 97.04% of patients with inguinal hernia were male, 2.96% of patients were female. But among incisional hernia 77.70% are female and 22.30% are male patients. The highest incidence of both inguinal hernia and incisional hernia were found in 4th decade of life. Predisposing factors could be identified in 42.06% cases. 90.76% patients approached doctors for advice after 6 months of noticing hernia only 36.37% could mention the cause of delay. Out of 1020 patients (812) 72.18% patients underwent different operations. 2.5% patients were inoperable due to associated disease like Ca-liver, IHD, renal transplant, CLD, uncontrolled DM. Others refused or absconded, being afraid of operation. Effort for post operative follow up was not very satisfactory as only a small number could be followed for a limited period.