Inguinal hernioplasty improves the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis

Patti, Rosalia; Almasio, Piero Luigi; Buscemi, Salvatore; Famà, Fausto; Craxì, Antonio; Di Vita, Gaetano

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2008.02.007

« Previous Next »The American Journal of Surgery
Volume 196, Issue 3 , Pages 373-378, September 2008

Inguinal hernioplasty improves the quality of life in patients with cirrhosis

Rosalia Patti, M.D.
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Liborio Giuffrè n° 5, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Piero Luigi Almasio, M.D.
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, University of Palermo, Italy
Salvatore Buscemi, M.D.
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Liborio Giuffrè n° 5, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Fausto Famà, M.D.
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Liborio Giuffrè n° 5, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Antonio Craxì, M.D.
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Unit, University of Palermo, Italy
Gaetano Di Vita, M.D.
- General Surgery Unit, Department of Surgical and Oncological Sciences, University of Palermo, Via Liborio Giuffrè n° 5, 90100 Palermo, Italy
- Corresponding author. Tel. +39-091-655-2606; fax: +39-091-655-2646

Received 7 January 2008; received in revised form 28 February 2008 published online 22 July 2008.

Abstract

Background

The optimal management of symptomatic inguinal hernia (SIH) in cirrhotics is still undefined. Both hernia and cirrhosis impair quality of life (QOL). The aim of this study was to evaluate QOL by a Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire in cirrhotic patients undergoing inguinal hernioplasty.

Methods

Thirty-two cirrhotic patients undergoing inguinal hernioplasty were evaluated. They were classified according to Child's class and to the absence or presence of refractory ascites. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered the day before and 6 months after surgery. Global analyses of the 8 domains of SF-36 and of 2 comprehensive indexes of SF-36, Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS), were performed.

Results

Lichtenstein hernioplasty for SIH originated no major complications. All 8 domains of SF-36 and MCS and PCS scores improved remarkably after hernioplasty especially in patients in Child's class C and/or with refractory ascites.

Conclusions

Inguinal hernioplasty for SIH in patients with cirrhosis is a safe procedure. The improvement of QOL represents a clear cut indication for elective hernia repair.

Keywords: Cirrhosis, Hernia, Quality of life