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The aim of the study was to evaluate any social, occupational and physical factors, which may influence the occurence or cause of a primary inguinal hernia in two European countries. A questionnaire was completed by all the respondents in the setting of an out-patient clinic prospectively at the time of initial presentation and the data were collected on a secure database. All responses for each question were explored via appropriate descriptive statistics. Statistical comparisons were made using Fisher’s exact test where appropriate. 537 adults completed the questionnaire and had their data analysed. Comparisons between those that presented with a primary complaint of either ‘bulge/swelling’ or ‘discomfort/pain’ found no differences in occupation, age or any other demographic data. Equal proportions of patients who described a single strenuous event presented with a bulge/swelling or discomfort/pain. The reporting of a causative single strenuous event was not significantly influenced by occupation, lifestyle or amount of activity carried out nor was there any significant influence upon when a hernia presented after the suspected strenuous event, although the majority reported a lump within 1 week. This study cannot at present support the belief that a single strenuous event will be the sole cause for the development of a primary inguinal hernia.

A sportsman’s groin has no accepted definition or consensus on treatment. The aim of this study was to assess current opinion among a large body of European surgeons using an online survey. An online questionnaire comprising 16 multiple-choice questions was sent by email to general surgeons in Europe. The survey was live from the 6th to 30th September 2011. In total 143 responses were received. One hundred and six respondents (74 %) expressed experience in managing this condition. The majority (91 %) managed

The use of fibrin sealant (FS) (Tisseel™) for mesh fixation in patients undergoing laparoscopic groin hernia surgery is a well-recognised technique in Europe, but no study to date has examined effect on quality of life (QoL) on patients undergoing FS mesh fixation. A prospective study was therefore conducted to examine the effects on QoL of patients undergoing laparoscopic groin hernia surgery using FS in the United Kingdom. Between March 2007 and January 2011, all patients undergoing laparoscopic total extra preperitoneal (TEP) groin hernia repair using FS were included in the study. A validated hernia questionnaire from The Royal College of Surgeons of England supplemented by the EORTC QLQ C-30 to assess the pre- and postoperative QoL, pain scores and health outcome measures was used. All the patient’s demographics, duration of surgery, size of hernia, recurrence, morbidity and hospital stay were recorded. Data from 92 patients (87 males and 5 females) with a median age of 46 years (range, 19–82 years) was collected for the study (response rate of 92/121, 73 %). A total of 58 patients (63 %) had a unilateral and 34 patients (37 %) a bilateral hernia repair, of which 6 (7 %) were recurrent inguinal hernia. The mean operating time for a unilateral hernia was 36 min (30–62), and that for a bilateral hernia was 59 min (51–83). There were no conversions to open surgery out of the 92 patients included with the recorded morbidity of 7 %. There were no early recurrences. Eighty-nine patients (98 %) of patients were discharged in the first 24 h after surgery. There was a significant statistical difference recorded in patients visual analogue pain score (VAS 0–10) before and after surgery (P