Comparative Effectiveness

New effectiveness review discusses treatment options for inguinal hernia

For painful hernias in adults, the risk of a recurrent hernia after open surgery was less than the risk of recurrence after laparoscopic surgery, according to a research review. However, the review from the Effective Health Care Program of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) did show that for pediatric hernias laparoscopy is generally more effective than surgery for reducing recurrence. The review did not highlight many negative side effects for open surgery versus laparoscopy, but did note that the recovery time for open surgery was generally longer. The review also noted that quality of life after the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia was higher after one year for individuals that chose open surgery or laparoscopy rather than watchful waiting.

These findings can be found in the research review, Surgical Options for Inguinal Hernia. This review adds to AHRQ's growing library of resources on health topics.

To access this review and other materials that explore the effectiveness and risks of treatment options for various conditions, visit the Effective Health Care Program Web site at http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov.

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