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Background: When considering an asymptomatic inguinal hernia, surgeons must weigh the risks of watchful waiting against the risk of operative complications. Laparoscopy offers the benefit of reduced postoperative pain, which, for appropriate surgical candidates, may strengthen the case for repair. This study compares general and disease-specific quality of life following totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR) of asymptomatic and symptomatic hernias.Methods: We summarize prospective data from 387 patients who underwent TEP LIHR between 2009 and 2015 by four surgeons at a single institution. Asymptomatic individuals were identified by pain scores of zero at preoperative clinic visits. Validated quality of life (QOL) measurements were administered preoperatively and at 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1-year postop. Comparisons were made using Chi-square test, t test, or Mann-Whitney U test. Changes over time were assessed using longitudinal mixed effects models.Results: A cohort of 79 asymptomatic cases were compared to 308 symptomatic individuals. The asymptomatic cohort had larger median hernia defects (2.5 vs 2 cm, p < 0.01), was older (mean 63.0 vs 58.9 years, p = 0.03), included fewer indirect hernias (57.7 vs 74.9%, p < 0.01), took pain medication for fewer days (mean 1.2 ± 1.5 vs 2.2 ± 3.0 days, p = 0.02), returned to baseline activities of daily living earlier (median 3 vs 5 days, p < 0.01), and reported decreased postoperative pain (p = 0.02). There was no significant difference in general QOL. There was one recurrence in the asymptomatic group and were two in the symptomatic cohort.Conclusions: Asymptomatic individuals undergoing TEP LIHR reported less postoperative pain, returned to baseline activities, and discontinued pain medication sooner than symptomatic patients. These results are encouraging and may inform patient-centered discussions about asymptomatic hernia repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been shown to offer patients the benefit of less postoperative pain as compared to traditional open techniques. However, the risk of experiencing significant postoperative pain may affect patient's decision making. We aimed to elucidate potential patterns of pain and the predictors of such, up to 2 years postoperatively, using both generic and specific quality of life tools.Methods: Patients undergoing laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal inguinal hernia repair were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Short form-36, Surgical Outcomes Measurement System (SOMS) and Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS) surveys were administered pre- and postoperatively at 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 and 2 years. Patients with concomitant procedures were excluded. Significant pain was considered mild but bothersome or worse on either specific tool (SOMS scores ≥3/4, CCS scores ≥2). Predictors of significant pain were determined by logistic regression.Results: From 2009 to 2015, 482 patients enrolled in our database underwent elective TEP repair of 626 hernias and completed an assessment tool. Mean age was 57 (±15) years, with 93 % male. Reported pain on all three tools improved significantly from baseline over time (p < 0.01). Significant pain on either specific tool, related or unrelated to surgery, was reported by 52 % of respondents (158/301) preoperatively, and postoperatively by 50 % at 3 weeks (111/220), 21 % at 6 months (15/70), 13 % at 1 year (14/108), and 25 % at 2 years (30/121). Significant pain at 6 months-2 years correlated more significantly with general health status than surgical factors.Conclusions: Significant pain can be as high as 50 % at 3 weeks on surgery-specific quality of life measures, but with significant improvement by 6 months which is maintained through 2 years. Poor quality of life and general health were the main predictors of pain after 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is the most common surgery in the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes are arguably the most important elements of successful repair. This study is aimed to describe short- and long-term quality of life outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Methods: We prospectively followed patients who underwent totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP) as part of an Institutional Review Board-approved study. HRQOL was measured preoperatively, or 3 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year postoperatively using Short Form 36 Health Survey Version 2 (SF-36v2) and Carolinas Comfort Scale. Postoperative HRQOL scores were compared to baseline using paired t tests. Results: Between June 2009 and February 2014, 1,175 patients underwent TEP by four surgeons. Of those, 301 patients with 388 hernias were registered in the database and followed by a research coordinator. Mean age was 56.4 ± 15.2 years and 93 % were male. Mean body mass index was 26.1 ± 3.7 kg/m. Seventy-eight percent presented with pain, the majority of which were described as mild. Hernias were unilateral right-sided in 43 %, left-sided in 28 %, and bilateral in 29 %. Eighty-five percent were primary hernias. Average operative time was 43.5 ± 17.9 min and there were no intraoperative complications. Urinary retention occurred in 6 %. Visual analog scale at discharge was 1.9 ± 1.7. Analgesics were used an average of 2.5 ± 3.4 days and return to activities of daily living and work occurred on postoperative 5.5 ± 4.4 and 5.6 ± 3.9 days. Recurrence occurred in 2.1 %. Significant improvements between baseline and 1 year were found in role limitations due to physical health (81.5 ± 25.6 vs. 91.8 ± 19.4, p = 0.02), social functioning (87.4 ± 21.3 vs. 92.9 ± 15.3, p = 0.02), and pain (78.2 ± 19.7 vs. 86.6 ± 15.9, p = 0.007). Conclusions: TEP results in significant improvement in HRQOL including physical health, social functioning, and pain at 1 year. On average, patients are able to return to activities of daily living and work within a week. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]