INCIDENCE OF INGUINAL-HERNIAS FOLLOWING RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY

Objectives. During the last decade, the number of patients undergoing radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has substantially increased. Ov er this same time period, we have noted that a significant number of t hese patients have developed postoperative inguinal hernias. We sought to identify the incidence of postoperative inguinal hernias after RRP and compared this with the stated 5% incidence in the general adult m ale population. Methods, Ninety-two consecutive RRPs performed by thre e surgeons (I.J.S., N.L.C., S.W.D.) were retrospectively reviewed. The operative reports for each patient who subsequently underwent inguina l herniorrhaphy were analyzed to determine whether the hernias were di rect or indirect. Results. The overall incidence of postoperative ingu inal hernias was 12% (11 of 92). All hernias were found within approxi mately 6 months of the prostatectomy. Ninety-one percent (10 of 11) of these hernias were indirect, and only 9% (1 of 11) were direct. Concl usions. We believe this to be the first report in the English literatu re describing postoperative inguinal hernias following retropubic pros tatectomy. A significantly higher incidence (12%) of inguinal hernias was noted in the postprostatectomy population compared with the genera l adult male population (5%). This finding suggests that inguinal hern ias can be a consequence of RRP. Urologists should be cognizant of thi s possibility in order to screen all patients carefully prior to surge ry for subtle weakness in the inguinal canal, as well as to inform pat ients properly of the possibility of developing an inguinal hernia aft er surgery.