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Hernia surgery changes in the Amsterdam region 1994–2001: Decrease in operations for recurrent hernia

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Abstract

Inguinal hernia (IH) surgery has changed substantially in the past decade. Conventional (nonmesh) techniques have largely given way to prostheses. This study’s aim was to analyse whether changes in technique used for IH repair influenced the operation rate for recurrence. A retrospective study was performed on all adult males who had undergone IH surgery in the Amsterdam region during the calendar years of 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2001. Data were obtained for 3,649 subjects and included patient demographics, hernia type, and surgical technique. We observed a decrease in the use of conventional techniques and a significant increase (P<0.05) in the use of prosthetic materials. The number of operations performed for recurrent hernia decreased from 19.5% (216/1,108) in 1994, to 16.8% 197/1,170) in 1996, to 14.0% (152/1,088) in 1999, and to 14.1% (40/283) in 2001. When comparing 1999 and 2001 with 1994, there was a significant decrease in operations performed for recurrent hernia (P=0.005). There was also a significant increase in supervision of the surgical resident by a surgeon.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the surgeons in participating hospitals in the Netherlands for sharing their data. Participating centers (alphabetical order): Prof. Dr. H. Obertop, Academic Medical Center Amsterdam; Dr. D. van Geldere, Amstelveen Hospital Amstelveen; P.J. Tolenaar, Boven-IJ Hospital Amsterdam; Dr. D. de Jong, Free University Hospital Amsterdam; Dr. N.J.M. Out, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis Amsterdam; Dr. B.J. Dwars, Slotervaart Hospital Amsterdam; Dr. W.F. van Tets, St Lucas-Andreas Hospital Amsterdam.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery, Onze Lieve Vrouwe Gasthuis, P.O. Box 95500, 1090 HM, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    T. J. Aufenacker, D. H. de Lange, B. W. Kuiken, E. F. Hensen & M. P. Simons

  2. Emergency Medicine Residency Program and the Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, CA, USA

    M. D. Burg

  3. Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, P.O. Box 22660, 1100 DD , Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    I. G. Schoots & D. J. Gouma

Authors
  1. T. J. Aufenacker
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  2. D. H. de Lange
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  3. M. D. Burg
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  4. B. W. Kuiken
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  5. E. F. Hensen
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  6. I. G. Schoots
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  7. D. J. Gouma
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  8. M. P. Simons
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. P. Simons.

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Aufenacker, T.J., de Lange, D.H., Burg, M.D. et al. Hernia surgery changes in the Amsterdam region 1994–2001: Decrease in operations for recurrent hernia. Hernia 9, 46–50 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-004-0279-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-004-0279-5

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