Outcomes of Inguinal Hernia Repair Over Five Years in a Scottish District General Hospital.

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequently performed general surgical procedures worldwide. Recurrence remains a key quality indicator.<h4>Objective</h4> To assess outcomes of inguinal hernia repair in a district general hospital in Scotland, focusing on recurrence rates and describing patterns observed according to surgical approach, surgeon grade, and patient demographics.<h4>Methods</h4> A retrospective descriptive audit was conducted of 900 inguinal hernia repairs performed between 2019 and 2024. Data on hernia type, repair method, complications, and recurrence were extracted from electronic records and analyzed using descriptive statistics.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 900 inguinal hernia repairs were analyzed. The overall recurrence rate was 2.22% (n = 20/900). Laparoscopic repair demonstrated a lower recurrence rate (n = 2/188, 1.08%) compared with open repair (n = 18/712, 2.5%). Higher recurrence rates were observed in patients aged over 60 years (n = 14/20, 70%) and in recurrent hernia repairs (n = 3/62, 4.8%) compared with primary repairs (n = 17/838, 2.02%).<h4>Conclusion</h4>Recurrence rates were comparable to rates reported in the published literature. Surgical approach, patient age, and hernia complexity influenced the outcomes. Ongoing audits and standardized training are essential to maintain quality.