Unilateral and bilateral hernia: Comparative study of postoperative complications and factors concerned

Abstract

T HIS study was undertaken primarily for the purpose of determining whether there was any increased risk to the patient in the performance of bilateral over uniIatera1 inguinal herniotomy. It resolved into an analysis of the postoperative complications and an attempt to ascertain the etiologic factors concerned. It was felt that information might be obtained which would aid in determining the value of thyroid extract as a prophylactic agent against embolism. The total number of cases studied was 1066, comprising a consecutive series of 522 bilateral and 544 unilateral herniotomies. Of the total number of patients, only 71, or 6.6 per cent, were females. Although various types of surgical procedures are employed in the treatment of inguinaI hernias they are sufficiently standardized to give a reasonable basis for comparison, and it can be said that there is approximately twice as much surgical trauma, and the duration of operation and anesthesia is approximately twice as long in bilateral herniotomy as in unilateral herniotomy. Right inguinal hernia occurs more frequently than left inguinal hernia, but there is no significant difference between the two in the risk of operative treatment, as far as comphcations are concerned. An interesting point was noted that, regardless of the side on which operation had been performed, phIebitis occurred much more frequently in the left Ieg. We shaI1 first concern ourseIves with those compIications that couId be of FeIIow in Surgery, The Mayo Foundation