Bilateral Inguinal Hernioplasty in Emergency Surgery Is Feasible. Comparative Retrospective Study Using Propensity Score Matching

Aim The aim of this study is to determine if bilateral emergency hernioplasty practice is safe. Material and Methods We have performed a retrospective, observational, single-center study comparing by propensity score matching analysis two similar characteristics groups: patients who underwent emergency inguinal hernioplasty for complicated unilateral groin hernia (UH group) and patients who underwent emergency bilateral inguinal hernioplasty for complicated unilateral hernia, with non-complicated contralateral hernia (BH group). Results A total of 341 patients were included in analysis. Bilateral inguinal hernioplasty was performed in 38 of them (11.1%). Complication in study sample rate was high, with 143 complicated patients (41.9%), and a 90-day mortality of 20 patients (5.9%). In long-term analysis, recurrence was observed in 6.5% (22 patients). When comparing both groups short-term results, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups. 4 recurrences were diagnosticated in BH group. Discussion In conclusion, emergency inguinal hernioplasty has high morbidity and mortality in our serie. Performing bilateral inguinal hernioplasty in this urgent situation does not seem to add morbidity or lengthen hospital stay, thus avoiding the need for a new intervention with inherent risks and costs.