Costs Related to Diverting Ileostomy After Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Population-Based Healthcare Cost Analysis Based on Nationwide Registers.

Low anterior resection for rectal cancer often includes a diverting loop-ileostomy to avoid the severe consequences of anastomotic leakage. Reversal of the stoma is often delayed, which can incur health-care costs on different levels. The aim is to, on population basis, determine stoma-related costs, and to investigate habitual and socioeconomic factors associated to the level of cost. Multi-register design with data from the Swedish Rectal Cancer Registry, the National Prescribed Drug Register, Statistics Sweden and cost-administrative data from the National Board of Health and Welfare. Data was gathered for 3564 patients with rectal cancer surgery 2007 to 2013, for 3 years following the surgery. Factors influencing the cost of inpatient care and stoma-related consumables were assessed with linear regression analyses. All monthly costs were higher for females (consumables P < .001 and in-patient care P = .031). Post-secondary education (P = .003) and younger age (P = .020) was associated with a higher cost for consumables while suffering a surgical complication was associated with increased cost for inpatient care (P < .001). Patients who had their stoma longer had lower monthly costs (consumables P < .001 and in-patient care P < .001). Female gender, longer duration of stoma, young age, and higher education are associated with higher costs for the care of a diverting stoma after rectal cancer surgery. This study does not allow for analyses of causality but the results together with deepened analyses of underlying reasons form a proper basis for decisions in health care planning and allocation of resources. These findings may have implications on the debate of equal care for all.

Female Groin Hernia Repairs in the Swedish Hernia Register 1992-2022: A Review With Updates.

Introduction: Groin hernias in women is much less common than in men; it constitutes only 9% of all groin hernia operations. Historically, studies have been performed on men and the results applied to both genders. However, prospectively registered operations within national registers have contributed to new knowledge regarding groin hernias in women. The aim of this paper was to investigate and present a body of literature based upon the Swedish Hernia Register together with recent data from the register's annual report. Patients and Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched for studies based on the Swedish Hernia Register between 1992 and 2023. Based on the initial reading of abstracts, studies that presented results separately for women were selected and read. Recent data were acquired from the 2022 annual report of the Swedish Hernia Register. Results: A total of 73 studies of interest were identified. Of these, 52 included women, but only 19 presented separate results for women. Four themes emerged and were analysed further: emergency surgery and mortality, femoral hernias, the risk of reoperation for recurrence, and chronic pain following female groin hernia repairs. Discussion: Studies from the Swedish Hernia Register clearly describe that both the presentation of hernias and outcomes after repair differ significantly between the two genders. The differences that have been identified over the years have been incorporated into the national guidelines. Register data indicates that the guidelines have been implemented and are fairly well adhered to. As a result, significant improvements in outcomes regarding recurrences have been made for women with groin hernias in Sweden.

Impact of Trainee Participation on Inguinal Hernia Repair Outcome: A Study Based on the Swedish Hernia Register.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether differences in postoperative outcome exist between open inguinal hernia repairs performed by surgical trainees and those performed by specialist surgeons. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Inguinal hernia repair is the prototype educational surgical procedure. The impact of trainee participation on postoperative outcome is still controversial and despite earlier studies no reliable hernia-specific data exist. METHODS: The study cohort was based on the Swedish Hernia Register and consisted of 61,161 cases of male patients aged 18 years and older with open anterior mesh repair of a primary inguinal hernia between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2014. The study cohort was selected to represent the typical trainee procedure in Sweden. Primary outcome measures were reoperation due to hernia recurrence and postoperative 30-day complications. RESULTS: Procedures with longer operating times were at a higher risk for reoperation when performed by supervised trainees [57 to 72 minutes: hazard ratio (HR) 1.55, 99% confidence interval (99% CI) 1.05-2.27] or unsupervised trainees (57 to 72 minutes: HR 1.60, 99% CI 1.18-2.17; >72 minutes: HR 1.72, 99% CI 1.25-2.37). The same was true for specialist and trainee-assisted specialists with operating times <43 minutes (HR 1.63, 99% CI 1.25-2.13; HR 1.58, 99% CI 1.09-2.28). Postoperative 30-day complications were generally associated with longer operating times and occurred at all levels of experience. CONCLUSION: Trainee participation in open inguinal repair in combination with longer operating time is a risk factor associated with higher reoperation rates. This calls for a more structured supervision of trainees in an assumedly basic procedure.

Risk Factors for Surgical Complications in Ventral Hernia Repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for an adverse event, i.e. early surgical complication, need for ICU care and readmission, following ventral hernia repair. Our hypothesis was that there is an association between an increased complication rate following ventral hernia repair and specific factors, including hernia size, BMI > 35, concomitant bowel surgery, ASA-class, age, gender and method of hernia repair. METHODS: Data from a hernia database with prospectively entered data on 408 patients operated for ventral hernia between 2007 and 2014 at two Swedish university hospitals were analysed. A 3-month follow-up of complications, need for intensive care and readmission, was performed by reviewing the medical records. RESULTS: Eighty-one of 408 patients (20%) had a registered complication. Fifty-eight (14%) of these were classed as Clavien I-IIIa, and in 19 cases a Clavien IIIb-IV complication was reported. Large hernia size was associated with increased risk for early complication. A Kendall Tau test analysis revealed a proportional relationship between hernia size and modified Clavien outcome class (p < 0.001). Morbid obesity, ASA-class, method, hernia recurrence, age and concomitant bowel surgery were not statistically significant predictors of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of hernia aperture size is of great importance in the preoperative evaluation of ventral hernia patients to consider risk for post-operative complications. These results suggest a careful attitude when applying watchful waiting concepts and when postponing hernia surgery to achieve weight loss. A delaying attitude may result in increased risk of complications caused by increasing hernia size.

Loop-ileostomy reversal-patient-related characteristics influencing time to closure.

PURPOSE: To identify factors associated with timing of stoma reversal after rectal cancer surgery in a large Swedish register-based cohort. METHODS: Three thousand five hundred sixty-four patients with rectal cancer who received a protective stoma during surgery in 2007-2013 were identified in the Swedish colorectal cancer register. Time to stoma reversal was evaluated over a follow-up period of one and a half years. Factors associated with timing of stoma reversal were analysed using Cox regression analysis. Reversal within 9 months (12 months if adjuvant chemotherapy) was considered latest expected time to closure. RESULTS: Stoma reversal was performed in 2954 (82.9%) patients during follow-up. Patients with post-secondary education had an increased chance for early stoma reversal (HR 1.13; 95% CI 1.02-1.25). Postoperative complications (0.67; 0.62-0.73), adjuvant chemotherapy (0.63; 0.57-0.69), more advanced cancer stage (stage III 0.74; 0.66-0.83 and stage IV 0.38; 0.32-0.46) and higher ASA score (0.80; 0.71-0.90 for ASA 3-4) were associated with longer time to reversal. Two thousand four hundred thirty-seven (68.4%) patients had stoma reversal within latest expected time to closure. Factors associated to decreased chance of timely reversal were more advanced cancer stage (stage III 0.64; 0.50-0.81 and stage IV 0.19; 0.13-0.27), postoperative complications (0.50; 0.42-0.59) and higher ASA score (0.77; 0.61-0.96 for ASA 3-4). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a high level of education had a higher chance of timely reversal but medical factors had a stronger association to time to reversal. Patients with advanced rectal cancer are at high risk for non-reversal and should be considered for permanent stoma.

Mesh fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair: evaluation of methodology based on a systematic review of randomised clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: The issue of mesh fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair is frequently debated and still no conclusive data exist on differences between methods regarding long-term outcome and postoperative complications. The quantity of trials and the simultaneous lack of high-quality evidence raise the question how future trials should be planned. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched, using the filters "randomised clinical trials" and "humans". Trials that compared one method of mesh fixation with another fixation method or with non-fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair were eligible. To be included, the trial was required to have assessed at least one of the following primary outcome parameters: recurrence; surgical site infection; chronic pain; or quality-of-life. RESULTS: Fourteen trials assessing 2161 patients and 2562 hernia repairs were included. Only two trials were rated as low risk for bias. Eight trials evaluated recurrence or surgical site infection; none of these could show significant differences between methods of fixation. Two of 11 trials assessing chronic pain described significant differences between methods of fixation. One of two trials evaluating quality-of-life showed significant differences between fixation methods in certain functions. CONCLUSION: High-quality evidence for differences between the assessed mesh fixation techniques is still lacking. From a socioeconomic and ethical point of view, it is necessary that future trials will be properly designed. As small- and medium-sized single-centre trials have proven unable to find answers, register studies or multi-centre studies with an evident focus on methodology and study design are needed in order to answer questions about mesh fixation in inguinal hernia repair.

Quality of life in patients with a permanent stoma after rectal cancer surgery.

AIM: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment is important in understanding the patient's perspective and for decision-making in health care. HRQoL is often impaired in patients with stoma. The aim was to evaluate HRQoL in rectal cancer patients with permanent stoma compared to patients without stoma. METHODS: 711 patients operated for rectal cancer with abdomino-perineal resection or Hartman's procedure and a control group (n = 275) operated with anterior resection were eligible. Four QoL questionnaires were sent by mail. Comparisons of mean values between groups were made by Student´s independent t test. Comparison was made to a Swedish background population. RESULTS: 336 patients with a stoma and 117 without stoma replied (453/986; 46 %). A bulging or a hernia around the stoma was present in 31.5 %. Operation due to parastomal hernia had been performed in 11.7 % in the stoma group. Mental health (p = 0.007), body image (p < 0.001), and physical (p = 0.016) and emotional function (p = 0.003) were inferior in patients with stoma. Fatigue (p = 0.019) and loss of appetite (p = 0.027) were also more prominent in the stoma group. Sexual function was impaired in the non-stoma group (p = 0.034). However in the stoma group, patients with a bulge/hernia had more sexual problems (p = 0.004). Pain was associated with bulge/hernia (p < 0.001) and fear for leakage decreased QoL (p < 0.001). HRQoL was impaired compared to the Swedish background population. CONCLUSION: Overall HRQoL in patients operated for rectal cancer with permanent stoma was inferior compared to patients without stoma. In the stoma group, a bulge or a hernia around the stoma further impaired HRQoL.

Impact of postoperative complications on the risk for chronic groin pain after open inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is common after inguinal hernia repair and has become one of the most important outcome measures for this procedure. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not there is a relationship between specific postoperative complications and risk for chronic pain after open inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: A prospective cohort study was designed in which participants responded to the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire regarding postoperative groin pain 8 years after inguinal hernia repair. Responses to the questionnaire were matched with data from a previous study regarding reported postoperative complications after open inguinal hernia repair. Participants were recruited originally from the Swedish Hernia Register. Response rate was 82.4% (952/1,155). The primary outcome was chronic pain in the operated groin at follow-up. Grading of pain was performed using the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 170 patients (17.9%) reported groin pain and 29 patients (3.0%) reported severe groin pain. The risk for developing chronic groin pain was greater in patients with severe pain in the preoperative or immediate postoperative period (odds ratio 2.09; 95% confidence interval 1.28-3.41). Risk for chronic pain decreased for every 1-year increase in age at the time of operation (odds ratio 0.99, 95% confidence interval 0.98-1.00). CONCLUSION: Both preoperative pain and pain in the immediate postoperative period are strong risk factors for chronic groin pain. Risk factor patterns should be considered before operative repair of presumed symptomatic inguinal hernias. The problem of postoperative pain must be addressed regarding both pre-emptive and postoperative analgesia.

Diabetes as a risk factor in patients undergoing groin hernia surgery.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is a known risk factor for early postoperative complications. Even so, the incidence of acute postoperative complications following routine hernia surgery is seldom described, and the risk for reoperation for recurrence has hardly been studied. Our aim was to explore if diabetes is a significant risk factor for complications after inguinal hernia surgery. METHODS: All inguinal hernia repairs registered in the Swedish Hernia Register between 2002 and 2011 were identified. Information on comorbidity and postoperative complications was obtained through cross-referencing with the National Patient Register at the National Board of Health and Welfare. Complicated diabetes was defined as diabetes with secondary manifestations (corresponding to aDCSI >0). The hazards for postoperative complications and reoperation for recurrence after the index hernia operation were calculated. RESULTS: Altogether 162,713 inguinal hernia repairs on 143,041 patients were registered. Of these, the number of patients with diabetes was 4816 (3.4 %), including 1123 (0.8 %) patients with complicated diabetes (aDCSI > 0). A significantly increased risk for postoperative complications was observed up to 30 days after hernia surgery when adjusted for gender, age, BMI, history of liver disease, kidney disease or HIV/AIDS, type of hernia and surgical method (odds ratio 1.35, 95 % confidence interval 1.14-1.60). No significantly increased risk for reoperation up until December 31, 2011, was observed in either patient group. CONCLUSION: Diabetes seems to increase the risk for postoperative complications within 30 days of inguinal hernia surgery, especially for complicated diabetes. Diabetes does not seem to increase the long-term risk for reoperation for recurrence.

Operative correction of abdominal rectus diastasis (ARD) reduces pain and improves abdominal wall muscle strength: A randomized, prospective trial comparing retromuscular mesh repair to double-row, self-retaining sutures.

BACKGROUND: The primary aim of this prospective, randomized, clinical, 2-armed trial was to evaluate the risk for recurrence using 2 different operative techniques for repair of abdominal rectus diastasis. Secondary aims were comparison of pain, abdominal muscle strength, and quality of life and to compare those outcomes to a control group receiving physical training only. METHODS: Eighty-six patients were enrolled. Twenty-nine patients were allocated to retromuscular polypropylene mesh and 27 to double-row plication with Quill technology. Thirty-two patients participated in a 3-month training program. Diastasis was evaluated with computed tomography scan and clinically. Pain was assessed using the ventral hernia pain questionnaire, a quality-of-life survey, SF-36, and abdominal muscle strength using the Biodex System-4. RESULTS: One early recurrence occurred in the Quill group, 2 encapsulated seromas in the mesh group, and 3 in the suture group. Significant improvements in perceived pain, the ventral hernia pain questionnaire, and quality of life appeared at the 1-year follow-up with no difference between the 2 operative groups. Significant muscular improvement was obtained in all groups (Biodex System-4). Patient perceived gain in muscle strength assessed with a visual analog scale improved similarly in both operative groups. This improvement was significantly greater than that seen in the training group. Patients in the training group still experienced bodily pain at follow-up. CONCLUSION: There was no difference between the Quill technique and retromuscular mesh in the effect on abdominal wall stability, with a similar complication rate 1 year after operation. An operation improves functional ability and quality of life. Training strengthens the abdominal muscles, but patients still experience discomfort and pain.

Less Pain 1 Year After Total Extra-peritoneal Repair Compared With Lichtenstein Using Local Anesthesia: Data From a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to compare long-term postoperative pain after inguinal hernia surgery using 2 techniques that have shown favorable long-term outcome in previous randomized studies: Lichtenstein using local anesthesia (LLA) and endoscopic total extra-peritoneal repair (TEP) under general anesthesia. BACKGROUND: Patients often experience pain after inguinal hernia surgery. These 2 methods in their optimal state have not yet been sufficiently compared. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted to detect any difference in long-term postoperative inguinal pain. Altogether 384 patients were randomized and operated using either TEP under general anesthesia (n = 193) or LLA (n = 191). One year postoperatively, patients were examined by an independent surgeon and requested to complete the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (IPQ), a validated questionnaire for the assessment of postoperative inguinal pain. RESULTS: Three hundred seventy-five (97.7%) patients completed follow-up at 1 year. In the TEP group, 39 (20.7%) patients experienced pain, compared with 62 (33.2%) patients in the LLA group (P = 0.007). Severe pain was reported by 4 patients in the TEP group and 6 patients in the LLA group (2.1% and 3.2%, respectively, P = 0.543). Pain in the operated groin limited the ability to exercise for 5 TEP patients and 14 LLA patients (2.7% and 7.5%, respectively, P = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Patients operated with TEP experienced less long-term postoperative pain and less limitation in their ability to exercise than those operated with LLA. The present data justify recommending TEP as the procedure of choice in the surgical treatment of primary inguinal hernia.

Wound Healing Following Open Groin Hernia Surgery: The Impact of Comorbidity.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of chronic concomitant disease on the risk for postoperative complications following open groin hernia surgery. METHODS: During the study period (2002-2011), 133,074 open repairs were registered in the Swedish Hernia Register. History of peripheral vascular disorders, connective tissue disease, chronic renal failure, obesity, and liver cirrhosis as well as data on hemorrhage or hematoma, wound dehiscence, postoperative infection, and reoperation for superficial infection or bleeding within 30 days after surgery were obtained by matching with the Swedish Patient Register. RESULTS: In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, a significantly increased risk for hemorrhage or hematoma within 30 days after surgery was seen for older patients, males, liver cirrhosis, peripheral vascular disease, and connective tissue disease (p < 0.05). High age (>80 years), previous history of peripheral vascular disease, connective tissue disease, and male gender were risk factors for wound dehiscence (p < 0.05). Liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, BMI > 25, and male gender were associated with increased risk for postoperative wound infection (p < 0.05). A significantly increased risk for reoperation for superficial infection or bleeding was seen in patients with peripheral vascular disease and elderly patients (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Risk for postoperative complications in open groin hernia surgery is increased in elderly patients, patients with liver cirrhosis, and those with peripheral vascular disease. The indications for surgery should be weighed against the risk for wound-healing complications in these patient groups. Watchful waiting may be an alternative, although this carries the risk of emergency surgery.

Correlation between abdominal rectus diastasis width and abdominal muscle strength.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for Abdominal Rectus Diastasis (ARD) is a controversial topic and some argue that it is solely an aesthetic problem. Many symptoms in these patients are indefinite, and no objective criteria have been established, indicating which patients are likely to benefit from surgery. This study investigated the correlation between preoperative assessment and intraoperative measurement of ARD width, and objective measurements of muscle strength. METHODS: 57 patients undergoing surgery for ARD underwent preoperative assessment of ARD width by clinical measurement and CT scan, and thereafter intraoperative measurement. Abdominal muscle strength was investigated using the Biodex System 4 including flexion, extension and isometric measurements. Correlations were calculated by the Spearman test. RESULTS: Intraoperative ARD width between the umbilicus and the symphysis correlated strongly with Biodex measurements during flexion (p = 0.007, R = -0.35) and isometric work load (p = 0.01, R = -0.34). The following measurements showed no correlation: between muscle strength and BMI; muscle strength and waistline; or between muscle strength and ARD width above the umbilicus, assessed preoperatively at the outpatient clinic, by CT scan, or measured intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: There is a strong correlation between intraoperatively measured ARD width below the umbilicus and flexion and isometric abdominal muscle strength measured with the Biodex System 4.

Creating an environment for patient safety and teamwork training in the operating theatre: A quasi-experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Positive safety and a teamwork climate in the training environment may be a precursor for successful teamwork training. This pilot project aimed to implement and test whether a new interdisciplinary and team-based approach would result in a positive training climate in the operating theatre. METHOD: A 3-day educational module for training the complete surgical team of specialist nursing students and residents in safe teamwork skills in an authentic operative theatre, named Co-Op, was implemented in a university hospital. Participants' (n=22) perceptions of the 'safety climate' and the 'teamwork climate', together with their 'readiness for inter-professional learning', were measured to examine if the Co-Op module produced a positive training environment compared with the perceptions of a control group (n=11) attending the conventional curriculum. RESULTS: The participants' perceptions of 'safety climate' and 'teamwork climate' and their 'readiness for inter-professional learning' scores were significantly higher following the Co-Op module compared with their perceptions following the conventional curriculum, and compared with the control group's perceptions following the conventional curriculum. CONCLUSION: The Co-Op module improved 'safety climate' and 'teamwork climate' in the operating theatre, which suggests that a deliberate and designed educational intervention can shape a learning environment as a model for the establishment of a safety culture.

Limited potential for prevention of emergency surgery for femoral hernia.

BACKGROUND: Femoral hernias are frequently operated on as an emergency. Emergency procedures for femoral hernia are associated with an almost tenfold increase in postoperative mortality, while no increase is seen for elective procedures, compared with a background population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare whether symptoms from femoral hernias and healthcare contacts prior to surgery differ between patients who have elective and patients who have emergency surgery. METHODS: A total of 1,967 individuals operated on for a femoral hernia over 1997-2006 were sent a questionnaire on symptoms experienced and contact with the healthcare system prior to surgery for their hernia. Answers were matched with data from the Swedish Hernia Register. RESULTS: A total of 1,441 (73.3%) patients responded. Awareness of their hernia prior to surgery was denied by 53.3% (231/433) of those who underwent an emergency procedure. Of the emergency operated patients, 31.3% (135/432) negated symptoms in the affected groin prior to surgery and 22.2% (96/432) had neither groin nor other symptoms. Elective patients had a considerably higher contact frequency with their general practitioner, as well as the surgical outpatient department, prior to surgery compared with patients undergoing emergency surgery (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have elective and patients who have emergency femoral hernia surgery differ in previous symptoms and healthcare contacts. Patients who need emergency surgery are often unaware of their hernia and frequently completely asymptomatic prior to incarceration. Early diagnosis and expedient surgery is warranted, but the lack of symptoms hinders earlier detection and intervention in most cases.

TEP under general anesthesia is superior to Lichtenstein under local anesthesia in terms of pain 6 weeks after surgery: results from a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Persistent pain is common after inguinal hernia repair. The methods of surgery and anesthesia influence the risk. Local anesthesia and laparoscopic procedures reduce the risk for postoperative pain in different time perspectives. The aim of this study was to compare open Lichtenstein repair under local anesthesia (LLA) with laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair (TEP) with respect to postoperative pain. METHODS: Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 389 men with a unilateral primary groin hernia were randomized, in an open-label study, to either TEP (n = 194) or LLA (n = 195). One patient in the TEP group and four in the LLA group were excluded due to protocol violation. Details about the procedure and patient and hernia characteristics were registered. Patients completed the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (IPQ) 6 weeks after surgery. [The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT01020058)]. RESULTS: A total of 378 (98.4 %) patients completed the IPQ. One hundred forty-eight patients (39.1 %) reported some degree of pain, 22 of whom had pain that affected concentration during daily activities. Men in the TEP group had less risk for pain affecting daily activities (6/191 vs. 16/187; odds ratio [OR] 0.35; 95 % CI 0.13-0.91; p = 0.025). Pain prevented participation in sporting activities less frequently after TEP (4.2 vs. 15.5 %; OR 0.24; 95 % CI 0.09-0.56; p < 0.001). Twenty-nine patients (7.7 %) reported sick leave exceeding 1 week due to groin pain, with no difference between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent the laparoscopic TEP procedure suffered less pain 6 weeks after inguinal hernia repair than those who underwent LLA. Groin pain affected the LLA patients' ability to perform strenuous activities such as sports more than TEP patients.

Chronic pain after femoral hernia repair: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence of and to identify possible risk factors for chronic pain after surgery for femoral hernia. BACKGROUND: Chronic pain has become a very important outcome in quality assessment of inguinal hernia surgery. There are no studies on the risk for chronic pain after femoral hernia surgery. METHODS: The Inguinal Pain Questionnaire was sent to 1967 patients who had had a repair for primary unilateral femoral hernia between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2006. A follow-up period of at least 18 months was chosen. Answers from 1461 patients were matched with data recorded in the Swedish Hernia Register and analyzed. RESULTS: Some degree of pain during the previous week was reported by 24.2% (354) of patients. Pain interfered with daily activities in 5.5% (81) of patients. Emergency surgery (OR = 0.54; 95% CI = 0.40-0.74) and longer time since surgery (OR = 0.93; 95% CI = 0.89-0.98 for each year added) were associated with lower risk for chronic postoperative pain, whereas a high level of preoperative pain was associated with a higher risk for chronic pain (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.10-1.25). Surgical technique was not found to influence the risk for chronic pain in multivariate logistic regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic postoperative pain is as important a complication after femoral hernia surgery as it is after inguinal hernia surgery. In contrast to inguinal hernia surgery, no risk factor related to surgical technique was found. Further investigations into the role of preoperative pain are necessary.

Primary patency of percutaneously inserted self-expanding metallic stents in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND: Effective bile duct drainage is crucial to the health-related quality of life of patients with jaundice caused by obstruction of the bile duct by inoperable malignant tumours. METHODS: All patients who were treated at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden with percutaneous stenting between 2000 and 2005 were identified retrospectively. Data on the location of the obstruction and type of stent used, date and cause of death and date of stent failure were abstracted from the patients' notes. Stent patency was defined as the duration from the insertion of the stent to the date of failure. In cases in which the cause of death was directly related to failure of the stent, the date of death was defined as the patency endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (34 women, 30 men) were identified. Their mean age was 71 years (standard deviation 11 years). The median length of patency was 11.4 months. Stent diameter >10 mm and distal stricture were found to be associated with significantly longer patency time in univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. In multivariate Cox proportional hazard analysis, only location of the stricture was found to be independently and significantly associated with patency time. DISCUSSION: Percutaneous stenting is a good alternative for patients with obstructive jaundice and a life expectancy < or = 1 year. It may give instant relief from the symptoms associated with jaundice. Patency time may be prolonged by using stents with a diameter > or = 10 mm. However, patency time was found to be lower for hilar tumours.

Emergency femoral hernia repair: a study based on a national register.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of femoral hernias and outcome of femoral repairs, with special emphasis on emergency operations. BACKGROUND: Femoral hernias account for 2% to 4% of all groin hernias. However, the lack of large-scale studies has made it impossible to draw conclusions regarding the best management of these hernias. METHODS: The study is based on patients 15 years or older who underwent groin hernia repair 1992 to 2006 at units participating in the Swedish Hernia Register. RESULTS: Three thousand nine hundred eighty femoral hernia repairs were registered, 1490 on men and 2490 on women: 1430 (35.9%) patients underwent emergency surgery compared with 4.9% of the 138,309 patients with inguinal hernias. Bowel resection was performed in 22.7% (325) of emergent femoral repairs and 5.4% (363) of emergent inguinal repairs. Women had a substantial over risk for undergoing emergency femoral surgery compared with men (40.6% vs. 28.1%). An emergency femoral hernia operation was associated with a 10-fold increased mortality risk, whereas the risk for an elective repair did not exceed that of the general population. In elective femoral hernias, laparoscopic (hazard ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.67) and open preperitoneal mesh (hazard ratio, 0.28; confidence interval, 0.12-0.65) techniques resulted in fewer re-operations than suture repairs. CONCLUSIONS: Femoral hernias are more common in women and lead to a substantial over risk for an emergency operation, and consequently, a higher rate of bowel resection and mortality. Femoral hernias should be operated with high priority to avoid incarceration and be repaired with a mesh.