[The Danish hernia database--the first year].

The Danish Hernia Data Base started registration of inguinal herniorrhaphies 1. Jan. 1998. The purpose of the data base is, on the basis of well-defines goals, to estimate and improve the different aspects of inguinal hernia surgery. The data base has participation from 81 hospital departments and outpatient clinics. During this first year 9380 herniorrhaphies have been included, corresponding to 95% of herniorraphies performed in Denmark. The results from the data base show, that 17% of operations are for a recurrence (with a rate of reoperation within one year of at least 1.6%), that a large number of different types of operations are used, that mesh is used in approx. 70% of herniorrhaphies, that 14% of operations are performed under infiltration anaesthesia and that 55% of the operations are performed on an outpatient basis. The data base collaboration, in combination with frequent meetings where results from the data base are discussed, seems to be a useful tool in documenting and developing this type of operation.