Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in women: Trends, disparities, and postoperative outcomes.

Introduction: This study analyzed trends in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair over time, rates of laparoscopic repair in women, and subsequent postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Data for 237,503 patients undergoing repair of an initial, reducible inguinal hernia were analyzed using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database for years 2006-2017. Data were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis.

Results: Since 2006, there was an increased proportion of laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgeries, from 20.49% in 2006 to 36.36% in 2017 (p < .001). The percentage of women with bilateral inguinal hernias that underwent laparoscopic repair was less than the percentage of men (31.58% vs. 41.43%, p < .001). Based on multivariate analysis, women were less likely to have laparoscopic hernia repair (OR 0.74, CI 0.71-0.76). Postoperative complications were overall low.

Conclusion: A greater proportion of inguinal hernia repairs are performed laparoscopically. Women with bilateral inguinal hernias are more likely than men to undergo open rather than laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.