Mesh versus suture repair of umbilical hernia in adults: a randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial.

Background: Both mesh and suture repair are used for the treatment of umbilical hernias, but for smaller umbilical hernias (diameter 1-4 cm) there is little evidence whether mesh repair would be beneficial. In this study we aimed to investigate whether use of a mesh was better in reducing recurrence compared with suture repair for smaller umbilical hernias.

Methods: We did a randomised, double-blind, controlled multicentre trial in 12 hospitals (nine in the Netherlands, two in Germany, and one in Italy).

Watchful Waiting Versus Surgery of Mildly Symptomatic or Asymptomatic Inguinal Hernia in Men Aged 50 Years and Older: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare if watchful waiting is noninferior to elective repair in men aged 50 years and older with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia.

Background: The role of watchful waiting in older male patients with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia is still not well-established.

Methods: In this noninferiority trial, we randomly assigned men aged 50 years and older with mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic inguinal hernia to either elective inguinal hernia repair or watchful waiting.

Training for endoscopic surgical procedures should be performed in the dissection room: a randomized study.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is associated with a shallow learning curve. AnubiFiX embalming technique enables laparoscopic surgical training on supple embalmed and hence insufflatable human specimens in the dissection room. Aim of the present trial is to test whether dissection-based anatomy education is superior to classical frontal classroom education on the short and long term.

Prognostic value of age for chronic postoperative inguinal pain.

Purpose: Chronic postoperative inguinal pain (CPIP) is considered the most common and serious long-term problem after inguinal hernia repair. Young age has been described as a risk factor for developing chronic pain after several surgical procedures. Our aim was to assess if age has prognostic value on CPIP.