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- Löfgren, Jenny, 1982-
(författare)
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Groin hernias and unmet need for surgery in Uganda : Epidemiology, mosquito nets and cost-effectiveness
- 2015
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background Surgery has traditionally been considered more expensive than many other health care interventions and with little impact on the burden of disease in a global perspective. One of the reasons behind this misconception is that the effects of surgical conditions and their treatment have not been factored into the equation. Cost-effectiveness analyses of surgical interventions have largely been missing.An estimated 20 million herniorrhaphies are carried out annually but over 200 million people suffer from groin hernias. Herniorrhaphy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures also in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). However, the surgical repair method is not the same due to financial constraints. In high income countries a synthetic mesh is used and has reduced the risk of recurrence. This 125 USD mesh is too costly for the majority in LMIC. Mosquito mesh, which is cheaper but very similar to commercial meshes, is used in several settings but outcomes need to be investigated more extensively before this practice can be recommended in routine surgical service.The Aims of this thesis were to define the prevalence of groin hernia, to relate it to the surgical capacity, outcomes and costs of surgery in eastern Uganda and to investigate the feasibility and difference in cost and cost-effectiveness of replacing a commercial mesh with a mosquito mesh in groin hernia surgery.Methods Three studies (1-3) were carried out in eastern Uganda. 1: A cross sectional study investigating the prevalence of groin hernia in adult males in the Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) in Iganga and Mayuge districts. 2: A facility based study with prospective data collection of all surgeries undertaken in the two hospitals providing surgery for the HDSS population. 3: A double blinded, randomised controlled trial comparing the outcomes of using a mosquito mesh relative using a commercial mesh in groin hernia surgery.Results 1: the prevalence of untreated groin hernia among the study participants was 6.6%. 2: the rate of groin hernia surgery was 17 per 100 000 population. Thus, less than 1% of the estimated number of cases of groin hernia in the catchment area of the two hospitals are operated per year. A herniorrhaphy costs around 60 USD to perform. This corresponds to a third of the cost of TB treatment and a 15th of the cost of HIV/AIDS treatment per year in Uganda. 3: No significant differences in terms of recurrence rates, post operative and chronic complications and patient satisfaction were demonstrated between the patients operated using the mosquito mesh and the commercial mesh. Cost-effectiveness was very high for both materials but total cost in the mosquito mesh group was 124 USD lower per surgery than in the commercial mesh group.Conclusion There is a vast unmet need for groin hernia surgery. Cost of surgery compares favourably with other health care interventions prioritised by the international organisations and funders. A superior technique can be used in groin hernia surgery at low cost, with high cost-effectiveness in a Low Income Country.
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| 2. |
- Nordin, Pär
(författare)
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Groin hernia surgery : studies on anaesthesia and surgical technique
- 2003
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The modem era of groin hernia surgery began with Eduardo Bassini who in the late 19th century, developed the first modem anatomically based hernia repair. Surgical technique, anaesthesia, suture and biomaterials have been matters of discussion ever since.In recent decades new techniques using a mesh prosthesis as adjunct have, to a large extent, replaced sutured repairs in groin hernia surgery. The advantages and disadvantages of new methods and devices are not easy to establish. Excellent results from specialised hernia centres have frequently been presented in the form of retrospective series. However, hernia surgery is usually considered an area within general surgery and, therefore, often performed by non-specialised surgeons and trainees.The Swedish Hernia Register (SHR), initiated in 1992 has today become nationwide and covers some 90 % of all Swedish units where hernia surgery is performed. Register data may be used for local audit, follow-up studies, and as background for RCTs. Register data reflect the results obtained by general surgeons with varying background and experience of hernia surgery. The present thesis comprises flve studies (I-V), three RCTs and two analyses of SHR data.Paper I: The aim of this RCT trial was to compare the Shouldice procedure with the Lichtenstein repair with respect to recurrence rate, technical difficulty, convalescence and chronic pain. A further aim was to determine to what extent general surgeons in routine surgical practice are able to reproduce the excellent results reported from specialised hernia centres. The Lichtenstein repair resulted in fewer recurrences took less time to perform and was easier to learn. It seemed possible to achieve excellent results with this technique even in non-specialised general surgical units.Paper II: Although mesh techniques are used with increasing frequency sutured repairs will continue to have a place in groin hernia surgery. Between 1992 and 2000 detailed information on 18,057 repairs with open sutured non-mesh methods was recorded in the SHR. The purpose of this study was to analyse the relative risk for reoperation with early absorbable, late absorbable, and nonabsorbable sutures, and to compare the relative risk of reoperation using the Shouldice technique with that of other sutured repairs. The relative risk for reoperation with early absorbable sutures was significantly higher than with other sutures. Among sutured repairs the Shouldice technique carried a lower risk for reoperation than other sutured repairs.Paper III: Data from 59,823 hernia operations recorded in SHR from 1992 through 2001 were used to estimate the relative risk of reoperation for recurrence (or chronic pain) when using general anaesthesia (GA), regional anaesthesia (RA), and local anaesthesia (LA). Time trends for anaesthetic and operative methods and other variables affecting risk for reoperation were also analysed. LA was associated with an enhanced risk for reoperation in primary but not recurrent repair. The Lichtenstein technique carried a significantly lower risk of reoperation compared to other methods.Paper IV: Within a three-armed multicentre RCT (n=616), perform by ten units all aligned to the SHR, surgical outcomes using the three anaesthetic alternatives were compared. LA was found to have considerable advantages over RA and GA. General surgeons in routine surgical practice could to a great extent, reproduce the favourable results obtained using LA in specialised hernia centres.Paper V: As part of Study IV patient satisfaction and quality of life following hernia surgery under GA,RA, and LA was compared in an RCT (n= 138) using a specially designed questionnaire. With the exception of slight intraoperative pain, LA was found to be well tolerated and associated with significant advantages when compared with GA and RA.Quality assessment of hernia surgery is essential. RCTs enable us to compare new surgical and anaesthetic alternatives. Register studies reflecting outcome in routine clinical practice can give this assessment a new dimension.
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| 3. |
- Nüssler, Emil Karl
(författare)
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Surgical quality control of minimally invasive procedures, fast-track surgery and implant technology in gynaecological surgery in Sweden
- 2019
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Internationally as well as in Sweden, efforts for improvement in gynaecological surgery in recent decades have mainly focused on three new treatment concepts:(1) Use of minimally invasive procedures: since there is an interdependency between the extent of surgical trauma and the risk for adverse outcome, increased use of supposedly atraumatic endoscopic procedures has revolutionized several aspects of surgical care(2) A multimodal approach to eliminate harmful procedures in the peri-operative process based on evidence-based principles(3) Introduction of implants to support damaged tissue with synthetic mesh in incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse patients.Research question 1: Is introduction of a minimally invasive operation enough per se or is the measured improvement mediated by elimination of harmful procedures in the perioperative process?Findings: Our study (Paper I) indicates that by applying a multimodal intervention programme for the pre- and postoperative care of patients undergoing supravaginal hysterectomy, the surgical procedure per se is of less importance than generally considered. Patient-related parameters such as length of postoperative hospital stay, number of days at home with need of painkillers, number of days before return to normal activities, and patient satisfaction did not differ between patients undergoing the laparoscopic procedure and patients undergoing abdominal supravaginal hysterectomy. When evaluating a new and presumably improved operative procedure against an established standard procedure, it is mandatory and of fundamental importance that the two methods are aligned in terms of perioperative care provided.Research question 2: Under which circumstances can it be assumed that a new surgical procedure showing promising efficacy in one setting can be reproduced with similar results in a different clinical setting (Paper I)?Findings: The operating surgeons concluded that, in their hands and under local conditions, laparoscopic technique for supravaginal hysterectomy was not superior to traditional open hysterectomy and stopped using laparoscopic technique. It seems necessary, prior to routine use, to monitor, using scientific tools, whether the advantages described in the literature are achievable under local conditions.Research question 3: Do expected advantages of implants outweigh the unwanted effects and complications caused by implants in operations for recurrent cystocele (Paper II)?Findings: Mesh has better durability but more (minor) complications. It is not possible to determine whether mesh is "generally better" than native tissue operation. Some may focus on the improved durability, others on the increased risks. The surgeon must make a risk assessment for each individual case. The patient must be sufficiently informed to understand the risks and make a personal, informed decision whether she wants an augmentation by implant. Essential for this process is a clear, comprehensible picture of both desired and unwanted effects of the planned surgery. In this context, studies like ours might be of use.
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