BACKGROUND: Lumbar hernias are uncommon defects of the posterior abdominal wall. Surgical treatment is still controversial in these cases. The aim of this study was to compare outcome and costs of the laparoscopic approach vs the open method. METHODS: We conducted a prospective nonrandomized study of 16 patients who underwent operation for secondary lumbar hernia between January 1997 and January 2003. Nine were treated via the laparoscopic approach and seven with an open technique. The following variables were analyzed: clinical data, hospital data (operating time and length of stay), patient comfort (consumption of analgesics and time to return to normal activities), and recurrences. Hospital costs were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age and history, although the defects of the patients in the laparoscopic group were smaller. Mean operating time, postoperative morbidity, mean hospital stay, consumption of analgesics, and time to return to normal activities were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group (p < 0. 01). No were there any statistical differences between the two types of surgical procedure in terms of hospital costs. However, the final cost did show differences when expenses for readmissions and recurrences were taken into account (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to secondary lumbar hernia repair is more efficient and more profitable than the traditional open technique.
BACKGROUND:Lumbar hernias are uncommon defects of the posterior abdominal wall. Surgical treatment is still controversial in these cases. The aim of this study was to compare outcome and costs of the laparoscopic approach vs the open method. METHODS: We conducted a prospective nonrandomized study of 16 patients who underwent operation for secondary lumbar hernia between January 1997 and January 2003. Nine were treated via the laparoscopic approach and seven with an open technique. The following variables were analyzed: clinical data, hospital data (operating time and length of stay), patient comfort (consumption of analgesics and time to return to normal activities), and recurrences. Hospital costs were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups in terms of age and history, although the defects of the patients in the laparoscopic group were smaller. Mean operating time, postoperative morbidity, mean hospital stay, consumption of analgesics, and time to return to normal activities were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group (p < 0. 01). No were there any statistical differences between the two types of surgical procedure in terms of hospital costs. However, the final cost did show differences when expenses for readmissions and recurrences were taken into account (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic approach to secondary lumbar hernia repair is more efficient and more profitable than the traditional open technique.
Authors: B J Ramshaw; P Esartia; J Schwab; E M Mason; R A Wilson; T D Duncan; J Miller; G W Lucas; J Promes Journal: Am Surg Date: 1999-09 Impact factor: 0.688
Authors: Byron E Wright; Brian D Niskanen; Debra J Peterson; Arthur L Ney; Mark D Odland; Joan VanCamp; Richard T Zera; Jorge L Rodriguez Journal: Am Surg Date: 2002-03 Impact factor: 0.688
Authors: M A Carbajo; J C Martín del Olmo; J I Blanco; C de la Cuesta; M Toledano; F Martin; C Vaquero; L Inglada Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 1999-03 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Y Renard; L de Mestier; A Cagniet; N Demichel; C Marchand; J-L Meffert; R Kianmanesh; J-P Palot Journal: Hernia Date: 2017-01-17 Impact factor: 4.739