Early complications in tension-free hernioplasty: comparison between ambulatory and short-stay surgery

Summary

This is a prospective cohort study of the early results in tension-free hernioplasty in both ambulatory surgery (AS) and short-stay surgery (SS).

We recorded data of 609 patients with 707 hernias. 346 patients (57%) were operated on by AS and 253 (43%) as SS. Tension-free hernioplasty was performed in 95% of cases. Regional anesthesia was the most common anesthetic procedure in both groups. Patients of the AS group were younger (AS = 49 years, SS = 62 years) and had fewer associated diseases. The commonest immediate complication was urinary retention in both groups (AS = 9.5%, SS = 10.5%). Hematoma was the most common early complication but there were no differences between groups (AS = 5.2%, SS−7%). Wound infection rate was 2.3 % (AS = 1.4%, SS = 3.2%), but removal of the mesh was not needed in any case. Other complications were sefoma (AS = 2.8, SS = 2.9%), pain (AS = 2.2%, SS = 1.2%), and orchitis (0.3% in both groups). There were low early complication rates in both groups, with better results (not significant) in the AS group. The advantages of ambulatory surgery make this the method of choice in suitable patients.