OPEN VS LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR IN THE BRAZILIAN PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM. AN 11-YEAR NATIONWIDE POPULATION-BASED STUDY.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall hernia is one of the most common surgical pathologies. The advent of minimally invasive surgery raised questions about the best technique to be applied, considering the possibility of reducing postoperative pain, a lower rate of complications, and early return to usual activities. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of open and laparoscopic hernioplasties in Brazil from 2008 to 2018, analyzing the rates of urgent and elective surgeries, mortality, costs, and the impact of laparoscopic surgical training on the public health system. METHODS: Nationwide data from 2008 to 2018 were obtained from the public health registry database (DATASUS) for a descriptive analysis of the selected data and parameters. RESULTS: 2,671,347 hernioplasties were performed in the period, an average of 242,850 surgeries per year (99.4% open, 0.6% laparoscopic). The economically active population (aged 20-59) constituted the dominant group (54.5%). There was a significant reduction (P<0.01) in open surgeries, without a compensatory increase in laparoscopic procedures. 22.3% of surgeries were urgent, with a significant increase in mortality when compared to elective surgeries (P<0.01). The distribution of laparoscopic surgery varied widely, directly associated with the number of digestive surgeons. CONCLUSION: This study presents nationwide data on hernia repair surgeries in Brazil for the first time. Minimally invasive techniques represent a minor portion of hernioplasties. Urgent surgeries represent a high percentage when compared to other countries, with increased mortality. The data reinforce the need for improvement in the offer of services, specialized training, and equalization in the distribution of procedures in all regions.

Reparo das hérnias abertas e laparoscópicas no Sistema Público de Saúde brasileiro. Estudo nacional baseado em dados populacionais em período de 11 anos / Open vs laparoscopic hernia repair in the brazilian public health system. an 11-year nationwide population-based study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Abdominal wall hernia is one of the most common surgical pathologies. The advent of minimally invasive surgery raised questions about the best technique to be applied, considering the possibility of reducing postoperative pain, a lower rate of complications, and early return to usual activities. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of open and laparoscopic hernioplasties in Brazil from 2008 to 2018, analyzing the rates of urgent and elective surgeries, mortality, costs, and the impact of laparoscopic surgical training on the public health system. METHODS: Nationwide data from 2008 to 2018 were obtained from the public health registry database (DATASUS) for a descriptive analysis of the selected data and parameters. RESULTS: 2,671,347 hernioplasties were performed in the period, an average of 242,850 surgeries per year (99.4% open, 0.6% laparoscopic). The economically active population (aged 20-59) constituted the dominant group (54.5%). There was a significant reduction (P<0.01) in open surgeries, without a compensatory increase in laparoscopic procedures. 22.3% of surgeries were urgent, with a significant increase in mortality when compared to elective surgeries (P<0.01). The distribution of laparoscopic surgery varied widely, directly associated with the number of digestive surgeons. CONCLUSION: This study presents nationwide data on hernia repair surgeries in Brazil for the first time. Minimally invasive techniques represent a minor portion of hernioplasties. Urgent surgeries represent a high percentage when compared to other countries, with increased mortality. The data reinforce the need for improvement in the offer of services, specialized training, and equalization in the distribution of procedures in all regions.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: Hérnias de parede abdominal são patologias cirúrgicas frequentes. O surgimento da cirurgia minimamente invasiva levantou questionamentos sobre a melhor técnica a ser aplicada, considerando a possível redução de dor pós-operatória e de complicações, e retorno precoce às atividades habituais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar frequência de hernioplastias abertas e laparoscópicas no Brasil entre os anos de 2008 e 2018, analisar taxas de cirurgias urgentes e eletivas, mortalidade, custos e o impacto do treinamento em cirurgia laparoscópica no sistema público de saúde. MÉTODOS Análise de banco de dados do registro de saúde pública (DATASUS) entre 2008 e 2018 para coleta dos dados e parâmetros selecionados. RESULTADOS: Foram realizadas 2.671.347 hernioplastias no período, média de 242.850 cirurgias/ano (99,4% abertas, 0,6% laparoscópicas). Predominou a faixa etária economicamente ativa (20-59 anos), 54,5% do total. Houve redução significativa das cirurgias abertas (P<0,01), sem aumento compensatório da laparoscopia. 22,3% das cirurgias foram de urgência, com aumento significativo da mortalidade em relação às cirurgias eletivas (P<0,01). Observou-se distribuição heterogênea da videolaparoscopia, diretamente relacionada com o número de cirurgiões digestivos. CONCLUSÃO: Este estudo apresenta pela primeira vez os dados populacionais das cirurgias de hérnia no Brasil. As técnicas minimamente invasivas representam uma parcela pouco significativa das hernioplastias. As cirurgias urgentes apresentam percentual elevado comparado a outros países, com aumento significativo na mortalidade, reforçando a necessidade de políticas que permitam aumento da oferta do serviço, treinamento especializado e equalização na distribuição dos procedimentos em todas as regiões.

Emergent groin hernia repair at a County Hospital in Guatemala: patient-related issues vs. health care system limitations.

BACKGROUND: The rate of emergent groin hernia repair in developing countries is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of groin hernia repairs performed at a county hospital in Guatemala [Hospital Nacional de San Benito (HSNB)] was undertaken and compared to a literature review in developed countries. Patients with incarcerated hernias were interviewed to determine factors related to late presentation. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of patients with groin hernias in this analysis presented at HNSB emergently (vs. 2.5-7.7% in developed countries). Most patients were male in their fifth decade of life. Ten percent of hernias were femoral. There was no delay in scheduling patients for surgery presenting for elective repair. Most patients lived within 20 miles of the hospital, but only 50% of patients returned for their follow-up appointment. Most patients with an incarcerated inguinal hernia (56%) did not seek medical attention because of family obligations, but when they did, this decision was influence by their children (66%). None of the patients presenting with an incarcerated hernia had education past secondary school. In fact, most (56%) did not have any form formal education. Nearly 90% of patients who had an incarcerated hernia repaired thought that the hospital provided good-to-excellent care. CONCLUSION: A high number of patients present emergently for groin hernia repair at a county hospital in Guatemala compared to developed countries. Our data suggest that emergent hernias are likely the result of patient-related issues rather than health care system limitations.

Practice Variation in Umbilical Hernia Repair Demonstrates a Need for Best Practice Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and better understand variations in practice patterns, we analyzed ambulatory surgery claims data from 3 demographically diverse states to assess the relationship between age at umbilical hernia repair and patient, hospital, and geographic characteristics. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a cross-sectional descriptive study of uncomplicated hernia repairs performed as a single procedure in 2012-2014, using the State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Database for Wisconsin, New York, and Florida. Age and demographic characteristics of umbilical hernia repair patients are described. RESULTS: The State Ambulatory Surgery and Services Database analysis included 6551 patients. Across 3 states, 8.2% of hernia repairs were performed in children <2 years, 18.7% in children age 2-3 years, and 73.0% in children age ≥4 years, but there was significant variability (P < .001) in practice patterns by state. In regression analysis, race, Medicaid insurance and rural residence were predictive of early repair, with African American patients less likely to have a repair before age 2 (OR 0.62, P = .046) and rural children (OR 1.53, P = .009) and Medicaid patients (OR 2.01, P < .001) more likely to do so. State of residence predicted early repair even when holding these variables constant. CONCLUSIONS: The age of pediatric umbilical hernia repair varies widely. As hernias may resolve over time and can be safely monitored with watchful waiting, formal guidelines are needed to support delayed repair and prevent unnecessary operations.

The "AMID" hernia and skin stapler for Lichtenstein hernia repair: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The Lichtenstein hernia repair is a widely accepted and durable treatment option for groin hernias, but acute and chronic postoperative pain for inguinal hernia repair remains a significant issue. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the benefit of a novel hernia stapler on acute postoperative pain after a Lichtenstein hernia repair. METHODS: A prospective double-arm single-center trial was conducted. Nine patients underwent a Lichtenstein hernia repair using the AMID Stapler (group 1), and another 9 patients underwent a sutured Lichtenstein hernia repair (group 2). Preoperative and postoperative pain was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The intraoperative pain management was either local with sedation, spinal, or general anesthesia. All patients received a local anesthesia preemptively independent of the main anesthetic method. Medication usage, pain, and any procedure related adverse event were documented on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 30. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in demographic data, type or size of hernia, or in baseline pain severity between groups. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. The VAS cumulative average (±standard deviation) pain score during the first postoperative week was 126 (±9.3) and 162 (±9.4) in group 1 and group 2, respectively (P = .38). Patients in group 1 took significantly less pain medication on days 1, 2, and 3 (P < .0001, P = .004, P = .02, respectively), and there was a trend toward a lower average analgesic demand during the entire first postoperative week: 11 (±0.54) doses in group 1 and 15.4 (±0.18) doses in group 2 (P = .07). CONCLUSION: The Lichtenstein hernia repair using the AMID Stapler is simple and safe and resulted in lower acute postoperative pain and lower analgesic consumption as compared with the sutured Lichtenstein hernia repair. A multicenter clinical trial with a large sample size is needed to more accurately study pain reduction.

Estudo comparativo entre anestesia local e raquianestesia na herniorrafia inguinal / Comparative study between local and spinal anesthesia in inguinal herniorraphy

Objetivo: Apesar das vantagens da anestesia local para o reparo de hérnias inguinais já estarem bem estabelecidas, a técnica anestésica mais utilizada em nosso meio é a raquidiana. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar os benefícios do emprego da anestesia local nas herniorrafias inguinais, comparando aspectos relacionados a dor, consumo de analgésicos, encargos hospitalares e satisfação do paciente. Métodos: Foram analisados prospectivamente 105 pacientes submetidos a herniorrafias inguinais eletivas no período de janeiro a outubro de 2002, no Complexo Hospitalar Santa Casa de Porto Alegre. Quatorze pacientes foram excluídos. A amostra final foi dividida em dois grupos: um submetido à anestesia raquidiana (69 pacientes) e o outro à anestesia local com sedação endovenosa (22 pacientes). Resultados: O grupo da anestesia local teve maior incidência de dor no transoperatório (p<0,05). No entanto, durante a internação hospitalar este grupo apresentou menor incidência e intensidade de dor (p<0,05), consumindo quantidades semelhantes de analgésicos (p>0,05). Além disso, encontramos no grupo da anestesia local menor tempo de permanência na sala de recuperação (p<0,05) e custos anestésicos 62,45% menores em cada procedimento. A dor no transoperatório, na anestesia local, não prejudicou a satisfação do paciente em relação à técnica anestésica (p>0,05). Conclusões: A anestesia local com sedação mostrou-se adequada para ser utilizada nas herniorrafias inguinais primárias. Ela apresentou vantagens em relação à anestesia raquidiana: menor intensidade de dor, menor tempo de recuperação anestésica e menores custos hospitalares (AU)

Background: Advantages of local anesthesia for inguinal hernia repair are well established. Even though, the spinal anesthetic technique is still the routine in our hospitals. The objective of this study is to compare the use of local and spinal anesthetic techniques for inguinal herniorraphies. We evaluated the repercussion of these anesthetic techniques in pain, use of analgesic medications, hospital discharges and satisfaction with the procedure. Methods: One hundred and five patients who underwent elective inguinal herniorraphy between January and October, 2002, were prospectively analyzed. Fourteen patients were excluded. The amount of patients was divided in two groups: spinal anesthesia (69 patients) and local anesthesia with sedation (22 patients). Results: Local anesthesia group presented greater pain incidence during the transoperative period (p<0.05). Despite this, while in hospital, these patients referred minor incidence and intensity of pain (p<0.05), with comparable consuming of analgesics (p>0.05). Besides, the local anesthesia group had a minor anesthesia recovery time (p<0.05) and an expense of 62,45% minor in each procedure. Pain related in the local anesthesia group during the surgery did not influence the grade of satisfaction with the procedure (p>0.05). Conclusions: Local anesthesia with sedation is an adequate anesthetic technique to be used in primary inguinal herniorraphies. It showed advantages over spinal anesthesia: lower incidence and intensity of pain during hospital staying, shorter anesthesia recovery time and minor hospitals expenses (AU)