Cesarean section and hernia repair: simultaneous approach

Hernias of the abdominal wall occurring during pregnancy are usually treated a few weeks after delivery. The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the clinical outcome of inguinal or umbilical hernioplasty performed at the time of the cesarean section, and to compare the outcome of this group with a control population, who received a cesarean section alone.

We reviewed 28 women who developed an inguinal or umbilical hernia during pregnancy from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2007 and who received a combined cesarean section and hernia repair, and we compared this group with 100 women (controls) who only received a cesarean section.

In the group of women who received a combined cesarean section and inguinal or umbilical hernia repair, median age was 23.8 years and hospital stay ranged from 3 to 5 days (versus 3-4 days for cesarean sections alone). The time employed for the combined surgical procedure was of 50 ± 7 min and 70 ± 4 min, respectively, for umbilical and inguinal hernia (versus 37.4 ± 12.6 min for cesarean sections alone). No complication was recorded during the perinatal and follow-up periods, and no recurrences were observed.

Our analysis suggests that cesarean section and hernia repair, performed in one session, avoids need for readmission to hospital, is safe, effective, and well accepted. It neither increases the complication rate nor prolongs the hospital stay, with clear advantages for both the patients and the hospital budget.