Follow-up of Symptomless Inguinal and Ventral Hernias

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The orifices of all inguinal and ventral (including Spigelian) hernias were carefully recorded at the beginning of laparoscopy (n=201) of other reason (cholecystectomy, fundoplication) in 2003-5. The patients with occult hernias (n=43) were followed-up 15 years to find out what percentage of hernias would become symptomatic.

Detailed Description
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This was a prospective laparoscopic study of 201 consecutive adult patients operated in 2003-5. There were 133 females and 68 males with a mean age 53 ± 14 years. The index laparoscopic operation included 104 cholecystectomies, 55 fundoplications, 36 diagnostic, 5 appendectomies and one insertion of peritoneal catheter. A careful clinical examination of the groin and ventral region was performed on everybody and all patients with clinical hernias were excluded. Laparoscopic exploration of the inguinal region was considered safe and did not greatly increase the operative time. All patients were informed that hernial orifices would be explored during laparoscopy, and a written consent was asked prior to surgery. Permission to repair large hernias (> 1 cm) was also obtained before laparoscopy. The patients were followed-up 15 years to find out, what percentage of occult, symptomless inguinal and ventral hernias were later operated because of harmfull symptoms.

Official Title
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15-year Follow-up of Laparoscopically Diagnosed Occult Inguinal and Ventral Hernias

Conditions
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Hernia, Inguinal, Hernia, Ventral, Laparoscopy

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: laparoscopic surgery


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: occult inguinal or ventral hernia diagnosed in laparoscopic surgery Exclusion Criteria: clinically diagnosed inguinal or ventral hernia

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 100 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: clinical hernia<br>developing clinical hernia | Procedure: laparoscopic surgery<br>* laparoscopic repair of hernia<br>* Other names: hernioplasty;|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| number of operated hernia | occult hernia operated because of symptoms | 15 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| number of symptomatic hernia | incipient, asymptomatic hernia becomes symptomatic during follow-up | 15 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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inguinal hernia, ventral hernia, laparoscopic diagnosis