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Do We Follow Evidence-Based Medicine Recommendations During Inguinal Hernia Surgery? Results of a Survey Covering 2441 Hernia Repairs in 2007

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Abstract

Background

We conducted a survey to determine whether hernia surgeons follow evidence-based medicine (EBM) criteria in their daily routine.

Methods

All chiefs of general surgery in Styria (Austria) received a short, simple, two-page, 10-item questionnaire.

Results

We analyzed completed surveys from 15 departments reporting 2441 hernia repairs with a mean patient age of 57.5 ± 11.6 years. Although five techniques accounted for 96.6% of procedures, the frequency of use of each technique varied considerably among the hospitals. There were high numbers of laparoscopic (36.8%) and sutured (19.9%) repairs.

Conclusions

Because of the great variance among the evaluated hospitals as to surgical methods and indications, this survey showed that inguinal hernia surgery does not currently comply with EBM.

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Acknowledgments

We thank all participating department directors and supporting surgeons from Styrian hospitals for responding to the survey. Many thanks to Eugenia Lamont for editing the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Clinic Hospital, Medical University Graz, Auenbruggerplatz 29, 8036, Graz, Austria

    Gerwin A. Bernhardt, Peter Kornprat, Herwig Cerwenka, Azab El-Shabrawi & Hans-Jörg Mischinger

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  1. Gerwin A. Bernhardt
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  2. Peter Kornprat
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  3. Herwig Cerwenka
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  4. Azab El-Shabrawi
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  5. Hans-Jörg Mischinger
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Correspondence to Gerwin A. Bernhardt.

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Bernhardt, G.A., Kornprat, P., Cerwenka, H. et al. Do We Follow Evidence-Based Medicine Recommendations During Inguinal Hernia Surgery? Results of a Survey Covering 2441 Hernia Repairs in 2007. World J Surg 33, 2050–2055 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-009-0127-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-009-0127-y

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