Outcomes and charges associated with outpatient inguinal hernia repair according to method of anesthesia and surgical approach

Abstract

Background: We conducted this study to compare short-term outcomes and charges between methods of hernia repair and anesthesia in the outpatient setting.

Methods: Using New York's state ambulatory surgery databases, we identified discharges for patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. Patients were grouped by method of hernia repair. We compared hospital-based acute care encounters and total charges across groups.

Results: Locoregional anesthesia (5.2%) experienced a similar frequency of hospital-based acute care encounters within 30 days of discharge when compared with patients receiving general (6.0%) or having a laparoscopic procedure (6.0%). Risk-adjusted charges increased across groups (locoregional = $6,845 vs general = $7,839 vs laparoscopic = $11,340, P < .01).

Conclusion: Open inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia reduces healthcare charges.

Keywords: Ambulatory surgery; Anesthesia; Inguinal hernia; Outcomes; Readmission.