Patient-reported outcomes in inguinal hernia surgery-Results from the GENESIS study: A multinational multicenter...

Area of Science:

• Surgery
• Patient Outcomes
• Hernia Repair

Background:

• Chronic groin pain is a common complication after inguinal hernia repair.
• Existing literature lacks comprehensive data, particularly from Asian and African populations.
• Patient-reported outcomes are crucial for understanding the long-term impact of hernia repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate patient-reported outcomes using the Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) after inguinal hernia repair.
• To investigate international variations in CCS scores, with a focus on including data from Asia and Africa.
• To identify factors influencing chronic groin pain following hernia repair.

Main Methods:

• An international collaboration of surgeons collected data from consecutive adult patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair.
• Follow-up data were collected for at least two years.
• CCS scores were analyzed and compared based on patient age, surgical approach (open vs. laparoscopic), surgery type (emergency vs. elective), hernia laterality (unilateral vs. bilateral), and geographic location (Asia, Africa, Europe).

Main Results:

• Mean CCS scores varied significantly by region: Asia (7.32), Europe (14.6), and Africa (19.79).
• Higher CCS scores were associated with open repair, emergency surgery, unilateral repair, surgical site infections, and recurrence.
• Elective open repair in Europe resulted in higher CCS scores compared to Asia.

Conclusions:

• Approximately 15% of patients reported significant discomfort (CCS > 25) after two years.
• Indication for surgery, surgical approach, complications, and geographic location are key determinants of CCS scores.
• International collaboration is vital for understanding global variations in hernia repair outcomes.