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Surgeon utilization of minimally invasive techniques for inguinal hernia repair: a population-based study

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Abstract

Background

MIS utilization for inguinal hernia repair is low compared to in other procedures. The impact of low adoption in surgeons is unclear, but may affect regional access to minimally invasive surgery (MIS). We explored the impact of surgeon MIS utilization in inguinal hernia repair across a statewide population.

Methods

We analyzed 6723 patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair from 2012 to 2016 in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative. The primary outcome was surgeon MIS utilization. The geographic distribution of high MIS-utilizing surgeons was compared across Hospital Referral Regions using Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to identify patient and hospital factors associated with MIS utilization.

Results

Surgeon MIS utilization varied, with 58% of 540 surgeons performing no MIS repair. For the remaining surgeons, MIS utilization was bimodally distributed. High-utilization surgeons were unevenly distributed across region, with corresponding differences in regional MIS rate ranging from 10 to 48% (p < 0.001). MIS was used in 41% of bilateral and 38% of recurrent hernia. MIS repair was more likely with higher hospital volume and less likely for patients aged 65+ (OR 0.68, p = 0.003), black patients (OR 0.75, p = 0.045), patients with COPD (OR 0.57, p < 0.001), and patients in ASA class > 3 (OR 0.79 p < 0.001).

Conclusions

MIS utilization varies between surgeons, likely driving differences in regional MIS rates and leading to guideline-discordant care for patients with bilateral or recurrent hernia. Interventions to reduce this practice gap could include training programs in MIS repair, or regionalization of care to improve MIS access.

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Funding

Dr. Vu is funded by the National Institutes of Health T32 Obesity Surgery Scientist Training Program: 1 T32 DK 108740-1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, 2800 Plymouth Road, Building 16, 1st Floor, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Joceline V. Vu, Vidhya Gunaseelan, Greta L. Krapohl, Michael J. Englesbe, Darrell A. Campbell Jr., Justin B. Dimick & Dana A. Telem

  2. Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Joceline V. Vu, Justin B. Dimick & Dana A. Telem

  3. Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Vidhya Gunaseelan, Greta L. Krapohl, Michael J. Englesbe & Darrell A. Campbell Jr.

Authors
  1. Joceline V. Vu
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  2. Vidhya Gunaseelan
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  3. Greta L. Krapohl
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  4. Michael J. Englesbe
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  5. Darrell A. Campbell Jr.
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  6. Justin B. Dimick
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  7. Dana A. Telem
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joceline V. Vu.

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Disclosures

Dr. Telem receives consulting fees for Medtronic. Dr. Vu, Ms. Gunaseelan, Dr. Krapohl, Dr. Englesbe, Dr. Campbell, and Dr. Dimick have no conflict of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Vu, J.V., Gunaseelan, V., Krapohl, G.L. et al. Surgeon utilization of minimally invasive techniques for inguinal hernia repair: a population-based study. Surg Endosc 33, 486–493 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6322-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-018-6322-x

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