Predictors for length of hospital stay after inguinal hernia surgery

Aim: identifying the variables that can help in quantifying/ predicting duration of hospital stay after inguinal hernia surgery. Method: 257 patients who were diagnosed with inguinal hernia underwent surgery between January 2013 and October 2014 and were prospectively registered and statistically analyzed by using linear regression with the aim of emphasizing, calculating and validating the predictors for duration of hospital stay. Results: out of 257 patients, 50,7% underwent laparoscopic surgery (TAPP and TEP) and 49,7% had an anterior approach by using the technique described by Lichtenstein in most of the cases. From the variables registered in the study (age, recurrence, emergency surgery, ASA [American Society of Anesthesiologists] risk classification, surgery duration, local and general complications) only the age and presence/absence of complications were statistically associated with the modification of the duration of hospital stay in this pathology. Conclusions: the duration of hospital stay can be evaluated preoperatory by using a mathematical model, which takes into consideration factors that depend on the patient or the procedure, with results that can have a significant impact on planning the local resources.