Primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy: a cohort study of 20,714 women

TY - JOUR

T1 - Primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy

T2 - a cohort study of 20,714 women

AU - Oma, E

AU - Bay-Nielsen, M

AU - Jensen, K K

AU - Jorgensen, L N

AU - Pinborg, A

AU - Bisgaard, T

PY - 2017/6/1

Y1 - 2017/6/1

N2 - BACKGROUND: Prevalence, management, and risk of emergency operation for primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy are unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalences of primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy and the potential risks for elective and emergency repair.METHODS: This single-institutional retrospective study included all pregnant women attending one or more prenatal consultations at Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, during a 3-year period. Patients' medical records were electronically retrieved. A free-text search algorithm and subsequent manual review was conducted to identify patients registered with a primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy. Follow-up was conducted by review of medical record notes within the Capital Region of Denmark supplemented with structured telephone interviews on indication.RESULTS: In total, 20,714 pregnant women were included in the study cohort. Seventeen (0.08%) and 25 (0.12%) women were registered with a primary ventral and groin hernia, respectively. None underwent elective or emergency repair in pregnancy, and all had uncomplicated childbirth. In 10 women, the groin bulge disappeared spontaneously after delivery. During postpartum follow-up of median 4.4 years (range 0.2-6.0 years), five (0.02%) and four (0.02%) underwent elective primary ventral and groin hernia repair, respectively.CONCLUSION: Primary ventral or groin hernia seems rare in pregnancy, and the incidence of emergency repair is extremely low. Watchful waiting strategy is recommended during pregnancy in women suspected for a primary ventral or groin hernia.

AB - BACKGROUND: Prevalence, management, and risk of emergency operation for primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy are unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalences of primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy and the potential risks for elective and emergency repair.METHODS: This single-institutional retrospective study included all pregnant women attending one or more prenatal consultations at Hvidovre Hospital, Denmark, during a 3-year period. Patients' medical records were electronically retrieved. A free-text search algorithm and subsequent manual review was conducted to identify patients registered with a primary ventral or groin hernia in pregnancy. Follow-up was conducted by review of medical record notes within the Capital Region of Denmark supplemented with structured telephone interviews on indication.RESULTS: In total, 20,714 pregnant women were included in the study cohort. Seventeen (0.08%) and 25 (0.12%) women were registered with a primary ventral and groin hernia, respectively. None underwent elective or emergency repair in pregnancy, and all had uncomplicated childbirth. In 10 women, the groin bulge disappeared spontaneously after delivery. During postpartum follow-up of median 4.4 years (range 0.2-6.0 years), five (0.02%) and four (0.02%) underwent elective primary ventral and groin hernia repair, respectively.CONCLUSION: Primary ventral or groin hernia seems rare in pregnancy, and the incidence of emergency repair is extremely low. Watchful waiting strategy is recommended during pregnancy in women suspected for a primary ventral or groin hernia.

KW - Adolescent

KW - Adult

KW - Denmark/epidemiology

KW - Elective Surgical Procedures/statistics & numerical data

KW - Emergencies/epidemiology

KW - Female

KW - Groin

KW - Hernia, Inguinal/epidemiology

KW - Hernia, Umbilical/epidemiology

KW - Hernia, Ventral/epidemiology

KW - Humans

KW - Incidence

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Pregnancy

KW - Pregnancy Complications/epidemiology

KW - Prevalence

KW - Retrospective Studies

KW - Risk Factors

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1007/s10029-017-1618-7

DO - 10.1007/s10029-017-1618-7

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28434040

SN - 1265-4906

VL - 21

SP - 335

EP - 339

JO - Hernia

JF - Hernia

IS - 3

ER -