Long Term Quality of Life Following Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair With Mesh. A Ten-Year, Single Surgeon Series From New Zealand

Abstract Aim To provide objective analysis of quality of life for patients after laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery (LIHS) with mesh from 2013 to 2022. Material and Methods This study is a retrospective audit of outcomes from ten years of LIHS by a specialist hernia surgeon working in public and private practice in South Auckland, New Zealand. Data were collected by screening digital clinical notes and surgeon records, with a representative sample of patients contacted to provide feedback on quality of life indicators using the Carolinas Comfort Scale (CCS). The first five years of this data have been previously published. This study completed the ten year data set with analysis of the subsequent five years of patient outcomes, including revisiting a representative sample of previously contacted patients to update their quality of life outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel. Results More than 500 patients met our inclusion criteria. Recurrence rate in this cohort was 1%, with no conversions to open surgery, no adhesion related admissions or mesh explant procedures. The essential CCS criteria showed fewer than 6% of patients experienced sensation of mesh presence, pain or movement limitation, with no severe or disabling symptoms reported. Conclusions This homogenous series describing outcomes from a single surgeon shows that LIHS with self-adhesive mesh is a minimally morbid procedure with high patient satisfaction in this cohort with long follow up.