Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in women: Trends, disparities, and postoperative outcomes

This study analyzed trends in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair over time, rates of laparoscopic repair in women, and subsequent postoperative outcomes.

Data for 237,503 patients undergoing repair of an initial, reducible inguinal hernia were analyzed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for years 2006-2017. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Since 2006, there was an increased proportion of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgeries, from 20.49% in 2006 to 36.36% in 2017 (p < .001). The percentage of women with bilateral inguinal hernias that underwent laparoscopic repair was less than the percentage of men (31.58% vs. 41.43%, p < .001). Based on multivariate analysis, women were less likely to have laparoscopic hernia repair (OR 0.74, CI 0.71-0.76). Postoperative complications were overall low.

A greater proportion of inguinal hernia repairs are performed laparoscopically. Women with bilateral inguinal hernias are more likely than men to undergo open rather than laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.