OC-018 Elective recurrent inguinal hernia repair. Value of an Abdominal Wall Surgery Unit

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study is to analyze the influence of an abdominal wall surgery unit in postoperative complications (within postoperative 90 days), hernia recurrence and chronic postoperative inguinal pain after elective recurrent inguinal hernia repair. Methods This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent elective recurrent inguinal hernia repair between January 2010 and October 2021. The short- and long-term outcomes between the groups of patients operated on by the Abdominal Wall Surgery Unit and groups operated on by surgeons outside of the specialized abdominal wall group were compared. A logistic regression model was performed for hernia recurrence. Results A total of 250 patients underwent elective surgery for recurrent inguinal hernia during the study period. Patients in the abdominal wall surgery group were younger (P= <0.001) and had less comorbidities (P= <0.001). Complications were similar in both groups. Patients in the abdominal wall surgery group presented fewer recurrences (15% vs 3%; P= 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, surgery performed by the abdominal wall surgery unit was related to fewer recurrences (HR= 0.164; 95% CI= 0.44–0.613; P=0.007). Conclusions Recurrent inguinal hernia repair is associated with better results in terms of recurrence when it is performed by a specialized abdominal wall unit.