Mortality and major complications after emergency laparotomy: A pilot study of risk prediction model development by preoperative blood-based immune parameters.

BACKGROUND: Emergency laparotomy is associated with high risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Preoperative identification of patients at high risk of adverse outcome is important. The immune response to conditions requiring emergency laparotomy is not understood in detail. The present study describes preoperative blood-based immune profiles and their potential value in surgical risk assessment. METHOD: Patients (N = 100) referred for emergency laparotomy at Hvidovre Hospital were consecutively included from 3 June 2013-11 April 2014. All patients had blood samples collected before surgery and the immune parameters c-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ induced protein 10 kDa (IP-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and soluble urokinase plasminogen receptor activator (suPAR) were determined. Patients were stratified according to major postoperative complications (including death), 30- and 180-day mortality. Using logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristics curves the predictive ability of the immune parameters were estimated. RESULTS: Major complications were recorded in 45 (45.0%) of the patients, whereas 30-day and 180-day mortalities were 17 (17.0%) and 25 (25.0%), respectively. Concentrations of suPAR and TNF-α were associated with major complications while CRP, IL-6, suPAR and TNF-α were associated with mortality. Adding the combined immune parameters to a regression model including age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status significantly improved the predictive ability for major complications, 30-day mortality and 180-day mortality. CONCLUSION: In emergency laparotomy, preoperative blood-based immune parameters added predictive power to regression models and could be considered in risk prediction model development.

Functional performance and 30-day postoperative mortality after emergency laparotomy-a retrospective, multicenter, observational cohort study of 1084 patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the importance of predicting adverse postoperative outcomes, functional performance status as a proxy for frailty has not been systematically evaluated in emergency abdominal surgery. Our aim was to evaluate if the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score was independently associated with mortality following high-risk emergency abdominal surgery, in a multicentre, retrospective, observational study of a consecutive cohort. METHODS: All patients aged 18 or above undergoing high-risk emergency laparotomy or laparoscopy from four emergency surgical centres in the Capitol Region of Denmark, from January 1 to December 31, 2012, were included. Demographics, preoperative status, ECOG performance score, mortality, and surgical characteristics were registered. The association of frailty with postoperative mortality was evaluated using multiple regression models. Likelihood ratio test was applied for goodness of fit. RESULTS: In total, 1084 patients were included in the cohort; unadjusted 30-day mortality was 20.2%. ECOG performance score was independently associated with 30-day mortality. Odds ratio for mortality was 1.70 (95% CI (1.0, 2.9)) in patients with ECOG performance score of 1, compared with 5.90 (95% CI (1.8, 19.0)) in patients with ECOG performance score of 4 (p < 0.01). Likelihood ratio test suggests improvement in fit of logistic regression modelling of 30-day postoperative mortality when including ECOG performance score as an explanatory variable. CONCLUSIONS: This study found ECOG performance score to be independently associated with the postoperative 30-day mortality among patients undergoing high-risk emergency laparotomy. The utility of including functional performance in a preoperative risk assessment model of emergency laparotomy should be evaluated.

Increased Gastrointestinal Surgical Hospital Burden After Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass for Obesity: A Nationwide 5-years Follow-up Study.

OBJECTIVE: To study long-term gastrointestinal surgical hospital burden (hospital readmissions and gastrointestinal surgical procedures) after laparoscopic gastric bypass. BACKGROUND: Little is known about gastrointestinal surgical hospital burden after laparoscopic gastric bypass. METHODS: Danish patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass (BMI >35-50) from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2013 were included (100% follow-up). The nonsurgical reference group were individuals with BMI of ≥ 30 drawn from The Danish National Health Surveys from 2005 to 2013. The primary outcome was gastrointestinal surgical hospital burden. Secondary outcome was mortality. Age, body mass index (BMI), gender, and calendar time (time of surgery and nonsurgical survey), diabetes status was adjusted for in a multivariate Poisson regression model. RESULTS: 13,582 bariatric surgical patients and 45,948 reference individuals were included with a mean follow-up time of 4.7 years (SD 2.4). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for hospital re-re-admission was 2.17 higher in the intervention group (95% CI 2.04-2.31). Sensitivity analysis showed that patients operated before 2010 had a higher incidence for re-re-admission than after. IRR for surgical gastrointestinal procedures was 6.56 (CI 6.15-6.99) and 3.04 (CI 3.51-4.17) after 1 and 5 years for the intervention group compared with the reference group. Surgery for internal hernia was the most common abdominal procedure. The mortality odds ratio was 0.84 (CI 0.65-0.96). CONCLUSIONS: Gastrointestinal surgical hospital burden was significantly higher in the first 5 years after gastric bypass compared with a matched nonsurgical reference group of obese citizens.

Pathology is common in subsequent visits after admission for non-specific abdominal pain.

INTRODUCTION: Although not supported by evidence, there may be a risk of overlooking pathological findings at patients' return visit after emergency admission for non-specific abdominal pain (NSAP). The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of missed acute pathology in patients primarily discharged with NSAP and re-admitted within three months. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of hospital records within a three-month period (1 September-30 November, 2014) in a university hospital with unrestricted referral of abdominal emergency patients. Patients fulfilling the criteria for NSAP were included in the study. RESULTS: Among the 1,474 patients admitted with acute abdominal pain, 390 (26%) were discharged with NSAP; 16% of the patients who were discharged with NSAP were re-admitted for abdominal pain. At their return visit, 39% received a verified specific diagnosis, corresponding to 6% of all patients with the NSAP diagnosis. A total of 40% of the early re-admissions of patients with NSAP were related to the biliary tract (cholelithiatis, cholangitis and cholecystitis). Co-morbidity, nausea, vomiting and increased white blood cell count at the primary admission were significantly associated with a risk of missing a specific diagnosis (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that only 6% of the patients who were admitted for acute abdominal pain and were discharged with no diagnosis had a somatic condition. However, risk of pathological findings at the return visit was relatively high among patients discharged with NSAP. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Sarcopenia predicts 90-day mortality in elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.

PURPOSE: Image-based measurement of sarcopenia is an established predictor of a decreased outcome for a large variety of surgical procedures. Sarcopenia in elderly patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery has not been well studied. This study aims to investigate the association between the total psoas area (TPA) and postoperative mortality after 90 days in a group of elderly emergency laparotomy patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the emergency CT-scans of 150 elderly patients from a consecutive cohort undergoing emergency abdominal surgery at our surgical center. TPA was measured manually at the level of L3 and indexed to patient height. Sarcopenia was defined as having a TPA index below the first quartile for gender in the cohort. Other collected variables were age, vital status/date of death, ASA-score, surgical procedure, and WHO performance score. RESULTS: Overall 90-day mortality was 42.7%. Sarcopenic patients had a higher 90-day mortality (60.5%) than non-sarcopenic patients (36.6%), corresponding to an odds ratio of 2.66 (95% confidence interval 1.2-5.7, p = 0.01). Sarcopenic patients had an increased mortality compared with non-sarcopenic patients (p = 0.0009, Log-rank test), with a clear separation of the two groups within 30 days postoperatively. In a multivariate logistic regression model, with age, ASA-score, and WHO performance score as covariates, sarcopenia was independently associated with 90-day mortality. CONCLUSION: Manual measurement of TPA on an abdominal CT-scan is a relevant risk factor for postoperative mortality in elderly patients undergoing high-risk emergency abdominal surgery. Incorporation of sarcopenia in postoperative risk-prediction models in emergency abdominal surgery should be considered.

Validation and calibration of self-reported height and weight in the Danish Health Examination Survey.

BACKGROUND: Body mass index (BMI) derived from self-reported information is widely used and the validity is therefore crucial. We aim at testing the validity of self-reported height and weight, and to test if the accuracy of self-reported information can be improved by calibration by testing if calibration improved the ability to predict diabetes. METHODS: Data from Danish Health Examination Survey (DANHES) was used. 15 692 participants who had both filled out questionnaire and participated in health examination, and 54 725 participants with questionnaire alone, were included. Data was analyzed using Pearson's R, Cohens Kappa, linear regression and Cox-regression. Self-reported values of height and weight were calibrated using coefficients obtained from linear regression analysis. To evaluate if the calibration improved the ability to predict diabetes, Akaike's information criterion was used. RESULTS: Self-reported height, weight and BMI were highly correlated with measured values (R ≥ 0.92). BMI was under-reported by 0.32 kg m-2 and 0.38 kg m-2 in women and men. The hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval) for diabetes according to measured BMI was 2.09 (1.89-2.27) and for self-reported BMI was 1.60 (1.50-1.70) per 5 kg m-2. Calibrated values of self-reported BMI improved the predictive value of BMI for the risk of diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported height and weight correlated highly with physical measurement of height and weight. Measured values of BMI were more strongly associated with diabetes risk as compared to self-reported values. Calibration of the self-reported values improved the accuracy of self-reported height and weight.

The impact of acute high-risk abdominal surgery on quality of life in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: Undergoing acute high-risk abdominal (AHA) surgery is associated with reduced survival and a great risk of an adverse outcome, especially in the elderly. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the residential status and quality of life in elderly patients undergoing AHA surgery. METHODS: From 1 November 2014 to 30 April 2015, consecutive patients (≥ 75 years) undergoing AHA surgery were included for follow-up after six months. The patients included answered a health-related quality-of-life questionnaire and a supplemental questionnaire regarding residential status. The results were compared with an age-matched national control group. RESULTS: A total of 52 patients matched the inclusion crit-eria. Mortality at six months after surgery was 46%. Out of the 28 survivors, 22 participated in the study. Quality of life was estimated as good in 77% of the survivors and they were willing to undergo surgery again, if necessary. All study participants were admitted from their own home, and 95% had no change in residential status after six months. CONCLUSIONS: The self-reported quality of life in elderly survivors six months after AHA surgery was surprisingly good in a small study where all findings should be interpreted with precaution. The majority had no change in residential status. Our study may provide useful information for surgeons advising elderly patients and their families about realistic outcomes following AHA surgery. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Danish Data Protection Agency and registered with clinicaltrials.gov.

Laparoscopy in major abdominal emergency surgery seems to be a safe procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopy is well established in the majority of elective procedures in abdominal surgery. In contrast, it is primarily used in minor surgery such as appendectomy or cholecystectomy in the emergent setting. This study aimed to analyze the safety and effectiveness of a laparoscopic approach in a large cohort of major abdominal emergencies. METHODS: A population-based cohort from the Region of Copenhagen, Denmark, including n = 1,139 patients undergoing major abdominal emergency surgery in 2012. RESULTS: A total of 313 patients were operated with an initial laparoscopic approach; 37% were laparoscopically completed and 63% of the operations were converted to a laparotomy. Most conversions (40%) were for performing a bowel resection, 35% were due to inadequate exposure, 2% were converted due to accidental bleeding and 7% due to iatrogenic injuries. The reoperation rate was 17% in the laparoscopically completed group versus 19% in the group converted to laparoscopy and 20% in the open group. Major complications occurred after 31.6% of the laparoscopically completed operations, after 46.4% of the converted operations and after 49.5% of the open operations. The median length of stay was eight days in the laparoscopic group, 12 days in the converted group and 11 days in the group of open operations. CONCLUSIONS: In a large, unselected group of major abdominal emergencies, we report a low rate of complications for operations conducted by an initial laparoscopic approach, and a high rate of conversion to open surgery, with 10% of the entire study population obtaining the benefits of a laparoscopic approach. FUNDING: none. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Prediction of Outcome After Emergency High-Risk Intra-abdominal Surgery Using the Surgical Apgar Score.

BACKGROUND: With current literature quoting mortality rates up to 45%, emergency high-risk abdominal surgery has, compared with elective surgery, a significantly greater risk of death and major complications. The Surgical Apgar Score (SAS) is predictive of outcome in elective surgery, but has never been validated exclusively in an emergency setting. METHODS: A consecutive prospective single-center cohort study of 355 adults undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery between June 2013 and May 2014 is presented. The primary outcome measure was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative major complications, defined according to the Clavien-Dindo scale as well as the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program guidelines, and intensive care unit admission. The SAS was calculated postoperatively. Cochran-Armitage test for trend was used to evaluate the incidence of both outcomes. Area under the curve was used to demonstrate the scores' discriminatory power. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-one (51.0%) patients developed minor or no complications. The overall incidence of major complications was 32.7% and the overall death rate was 16.3%. Risk of major complications, death, and intensive care unit admission increased significantly with decreasing SAS (P < .001). The score's c-statistics were 0.63. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the SAS to be significantly predictive but weakly discriminative for major complications and death among adults undergoing emergency high-risk abdominal surgery. Despite its predictive value, the SAS cannot in its current version be recommended as a standalone prognostic tool in an emergency setting.

Gastrointestinal bleedings during therapy with new oral anticoagulants are rarely reported.

INTRODUCTION: Post-marketing surveillance of drugs relies on spontaneous reporting of adverse drug events to the Danish Health and Medicines Authority. A number of new oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have recently been marketed in Denmark. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reporting of serious adverse drug events in patients treated with a NOAC and admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding. METHODS: This study is based on an electronic free text search in patient records and a search in the electronic medication records of all patients admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology, Surgical Section, Hvidovre Hospital, during a one-year-period. Patients in treatment with NOAC and admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding were identified. Relevant patients were cross-checked for a reported adverse drug event in the Danish Health and Medi-cines Authority's database on adverse medical events. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were acutely admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding while in treatment with a NOAC, an adverse medical event was reported for one of these patients (5%; 95% confidence interval: 0-25%). CONCLUSION: Serious adverse events in patients treated with NOAC are underreported which questions the current effectiveness of post-marketing surveillance of adverse drug effects. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered with clin-icaltrials.gov (NCT02107651).

Increased mortality in the elderly after emergency abdominal surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between preoperative delay and mortality in surgical patients undergoing primary emergency laparotomy (PEL) in an unselected, well-described patient cohort in a university hospital setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patient charts and perioperative documentation in an unselected consecutive cohort of 131 patients. Covariates for survival outcomes were evaluated in a multivariate analysis. No external funding and no competing interests were declared. The study was approved by The Danish Data Protection Agency; and in pursuance of national Danish research guidelines concerning retrospective studies, approval from ethics committee was not relevant. RESULTS: PEL was performed in 131 patients in the observation period. The median age of the patients was 68 years. The median time from admission to start of operation for all patients was 9.5 hours. No association between a time to operation exceeding six hours and post-operative mortality was found (adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) = 0.67 (0.25-1.78)). Patients over 75 years of age had a very high mortality (47.8%). Most patients died within 30 days post-operatively. CONCLUSION: Acute admission and emergency laparotomy is associated with a very high mortality, especially in elderly patients. However, delay in the surgical treatment exceeding six hours is not associated with a higher mortality. There may be a considerable potential for improving care and management in these patients through a more systematic approach.

[Mortality during admission in a surgical department].

A review of patient charts in 322 in-hospital deaths in one surgical unit from July 1 2010 to June 31 2011. Overall mortality was 2.9%, with terminal cancer patients, patients unsolvable at admission and patients declining treatment comprising 35.7% of patients dying. Most fatalities (169/53%) were after acute admission (median age 78 years, 61%, ASA score > 2). Stratification of in-hospital mortality in surgical patients is feasible and meaningful. A measurable reduction in surgical mortality is probably only possible in the group of patients with acute admissions.

Asymptomatic body packers should be treated conservatively.

INTRODUCTION: Body packing takes advantage of the human storage capacity within the alimentary tract. Body packing is used for the smuggling of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, amphetamine, hashish and ecstasy. Most body packers are asymptomatic. However, packets may rupture or obstruct the alimentary tract. Preventive surgery has been recommended for body packers with package retention beyond 5-7 days to prevent the serious consequences of leakage and rupture. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate a conservative protocolled approach to body packers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively registered all patients suspected of body packing who were brought to a department of surgical gastroenterology. The study comprised a two-year study period from 1 March 2011 to 28 February 2013. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients suspected of body packing were detained and admitted to a hospital. In 29 (53%) of the patients, body packing was confirmed by CT. All 29 body packers were successfully treated conservatively without surgical or endoscopical intervention. The median number of packages ingested was 55 (range 2-120). The body packers were all foreigners and originated from either Eastern Europe or West Africa. In one patient, body packages were retained for 17 days. None of the body packers underwent emergency operation or had signs of rupture. CONCLUSION: Body packers can be treated conservatively unless there is clinical suspicion of acute obstruction, perforation or intoxication. Package retention per se is not an indication for emergency operation. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

Ultrasound-guided drainage of subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk is feasible.

INTRODUCTION: Subcutaneous trunk abscesses are frequent, and current treatment options generally involve incision. By contrast, the standard care for breast abscesses is ultrasound-guided drainage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of ultrasound-guided drainage combined with antibiotics in the treatment of subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 27 patients were treated with ultrasound-guided needle aspiration and oral antibiotics. Follow-up was performed at a 3-6-day interval, and the procedure was repeated if the abscess was not obliterated. RESULTS: Treatment was initially successful in 25 of the 27 participants (93%); two patients went on to surgery. The median time from first treatment to the final control visit was nine days. The 25 patients with initial successful treatment were contacted after a median of 84 days, and six (24%) of these reported recurrence of an abscess at the puncture site. 88% of the patients reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with ultrasound-guided drainage. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that ultrasound-guided drainage combined with antibiotics is feasible in the treatment of small subcutaneous abscesses on the trunk. Ultrasound-guided drainage was well-tolerated, had a high degree of success and short healing times. Additional randomised studies are needed to verify our findings. FUNDING: not relevant. TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.

[Barriers for the use of traditional clinical data]. / Barrierer for brug af rutinemæssigt opsamlede kliniske data.

Data from electronic medical records can be used in describing clinical problems not covered by traditional clinical databases or traditional quality assurance systems. In this article three main barriers for the use of these data are identified: system knowledge, legislation and technical barriers. Legislative deregulation and implementation of strategic initiatives to further the use of the data is suggested.

[Growing need for surgery as the number of elderly rises in Denmark]. / Der er stigende behov for operationer med stigende antal af ældre i Danmark.

In Denmark, the elderly population is growing. In the article, data from the Danish Healthcare Registry (2005-2012) was summarized for hospital admissions and outpatient contacts with surgery in patients above 75 years. Also, the number of surgical procedures and surgical-related costs in 2020 were estimated based on demographic data and the rates surgery in 2012. The number of surgical procedures and surgical-related hospital costs will increase by 27.8% from 2012 to 2020, corresponding to the increase in the number of elderly citizens. New strategies and further political prioritization is needed to meet the rising age-related challenges.

Direct and recurrent inguinal hernias are associated with ventral hernia repair: a database study.

BACKGROUND: A systemically altered connective tissue metabolism has been demonstrated in patients with abdominal wall hernias. The most pronounced connective tissue changes are found in patients with direct or recurrent inguinal hernias as opposed to patients with indirect inguinal hernias. The aim of the present study was to assess whether direct or recurrent inguinal hernias are associated with an elevated rate of ventral hernia surgery. METHODS: In the nationwide Danish Hernia Database, a cohort of 92,457 patients operated on for inguinal hernias was recorded from January 1998 until June 2010. Eight-hundred forty-three (0.91 %) of these patients underwent a ventral hernia operation between January 2007 and June 2010. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess an association between inguinal and ventral hernia repair. RESULTS: Direct (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.28 [95 % CI, 1.08-1.51]) and recurrent (OR = 1.76, [95 % CI, 1.39-2.23]) inguinal hernias were significantly associated with ventral hernia repair after adjustment for age, gender, and surgical approach (open or laparoscopic). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with direct and recurrent inguinal herniation are more prone to ventral hernia repair than patients with indirect inguinal herniation. This is the first study to show that herniogenesis is associated with type of inguinal hernia.

Impact of occupational mechanical exposures on risk of lateral and medial inguinal hernia requiring surgical repair.

OBJECTIVES: We undertook a register-based cohort study to evaluate exposure-response relations between cumulative occupational mechanical exposures, and risk of lateral and medial inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Among all men born in Denmark between 1938 and 1988, we established a cohort comprising those aged 18-65 years of age, who had at least 1 year of full-time employment between 1993 and 2007. Using information from a Job Exposure Matrix based on expert judgement and year-by-year information on Danish International Standard Classification of Occupations codes for each individual since 1993, we established time-varying cumulative estimates of exposure to daily lifting activities and standing/walking. Cumulative exposures for lagged 5-year time windows were expressed in a way that corresponds to the pack-year concept of smoking (ton-years, frequent-heavy-lifting years, and standing-years). First-time inguinal hernia repairs in the period 1998-2008 were identified in the Danish Hernia Database. We used a logistic regression technique equivalent to survival analysis, adjusting for age, socioeconomic status, region of residence and calendar year. RESULTS: Within the cohort of 1 545 987 men, we identified 22 926 lateral, 15 877 medial and 1592 pantaloon or unspecified first-time inguinal hernia repairs. The risk of lateral hernia repair increased with ton-years, frequent-heavy-lifting-years, and standing-years, with ORs of up to around 1.4. The exposures correlated, but standing-years remained as the most robust risk factor after adjustment for lifting exposures. In general, the risk of medial hernia repair was unrelated to the exposures. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest an increased risk of lateral inguinal hernia repair in relation to occupational mechanical exposures and a preventive potential of around 15% of all cases.

Danish Hernia Database recommendations for the management of inguinal and femoral hernia in adults.

The nationwide Danish Hernia Database, recording more than 10,000 inguinal and 400 femoral hernia repairs annually, provides a unique opportunity to present valid recommendations in the management of Danish patients with groin hernia. The cumulated data have been discussed at biannual meetings and guidelines have been approved by the Danish Surgical Society. Diagnosis of groin hernia is based on clinical examination. Ultrasonography, CT or MRI are rarely needed, while herniography is not recommended. In patients with indicative symptoms of hernia, but no detectable hernia, diagnostic laparoscopy may be an option. Once diagnosed, hernia repair is recommended in the presence of symptoms affecting daily life. In male patients with minimal or absent symptoms watchful waiting is recommended. In females, however, repair is recommended also in asymptomatic patients. In male patients with primary unilateral or bilateral groin hernia the preferred method is mesh repair, either at open surgery (Lichtenstein) or laparoscopically, irrespective of age. Conventional tension-producing methods like Bassini, McVay or Shouldice are no longer recommended in a routine elective setting. Whether repair should be done by open or laparoscopic technique, depends on local expertise, economical considerations and patient preference. Compared to the Lichtenstein operation laparoscopic repair is associated with less acute pain and faster recovery. Furthermore, available data suggest less chronic long-term pain after laparoscopic repair. In female patients laparoscopic repair is the recommended method. In patients with recurrent hernia laparoscopic repair is preferred in patients with a previous open repair, while patients with recurrence after laparoscopic repair should undergo open mesh repair. In open repair it is recommended to use a mesh secured with a nonabsorbable monofilament suture. In laparoscopic repair a mesh without a slit and with a minimum size of 15 by 10 cm is used. For mesh fixation absorbable or nonabsorbable tacks or glue can be used. Elective surgery for groin hernia should be performed in an outpatient setting, using cost-effective local anaesthesia in open mesh repair and general anaesthesia for laparoscopic repair. Spinal anaesthesia is not recommended. Routine prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated. In the early convalescence period there are no physical restrictions. These guidelines will also be available at the website for the Danish Hernia Database (www.herniedatabasen.dk). The guidelines will be updated when new substantial evidence becomes available.