The project was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Approximately 700,000 men in the United States undergo surgical repair for inguinal hernia each year, resulting in both large direct costs due to surgical care and indirect costs to the economy because of time off from work, school, and other daily activities. While the benefits of surgical repair are clear in men with hernias that are interfering with their normal activities, whether an operation is needed in less symptomatic cases is uncertain since surgical repair carries both benefits and risks. It is not known how the risks and benefits of surgical repair compare with those of delaying treatment for these men.
Inguinal hernia is one of the most common worldwide afflictions of men.
Katkhouda is the coordinating physician and site principal investigator for the project.