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Worldwide hernia repair: variations in the treatment of primary unilateral inguinal hernias in adults in the United Kingdom and in low- and middle-income countries

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Abstract

Introduction

In this invited commentary, we aim to quantify and explain the variation between, and also within, developed healthcare systems (using the UK as an example) and low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). Rather than including complex cases, we have looked only at ‘uncomplicated’ primary unilateral inguinal hernias, an area where limited variation may be identified.

Methods

Data were obtained from Hospital Episode Statistics and structured surveys in the United Kingdom and in low- and middle-income countries.

Conclusion

There is widespread variation in the repair of ‘uncomplicated’ primary inguinal hernias worldwide and within developed healthcare systems.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Abdominal Wall and Upper GI Surgery, North Devon District Hospital, Barnstaple, UK

    P. Estridge & D. L. Sanders

  2. Former Professor of Surgery, Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth, UK

    A. N. Kingsnorth

  3. Hernia International, Plymouth, UK

    A. N. Kingsnorth

Authors
  1. P. Estridge
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  2. D. L. Sanders
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  3. A. N. Kingsnorth
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. L. Sanders.

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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The study has been performed in accordance with the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki.

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This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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For this study, formal consent was not required.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on “Forum on primary monolateral uncomplicated inguinal hernia”.

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Estridge, P., Sanders, D.L. & Kingsnorth, A.N. Worldwide hernia repair: variations in the treatment of primary unilateral inguinal hernias in adults in the United Kingdom and in low- and middle-income countries. Hernia 23, 503–507 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-019-01960-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-019-01960-6

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