Return to work after inguinal hernia repair

Background. There is much variation in the time when a patient returns to w ork after inguinal hernia repair. Most surgical research has focused on the type of operation performed, but other factors may be equally or more impo rtant. This study attempted to identify these factors. Methods. We prospectively studied the return to work after inguinal hernia repair in a convenience sample of 235 patients who were operated on by one surgical group. Ninety-three of these subjects, who were working and had co mplete data, were included in this analysis. Data were gathered through per sonal interviews, written surveys, and medical record reviews. The main out come measures were actual and expected return to work. Results. Primary tissue repair was done in 94% of the patients. The mean ag e was 49 years; 90% were male. The expected return to work wa 10 days; the actual mean return to work after operation was 12 days (median, 7 days; ran ge, 2 to 60 days) and was unrelated to preoperative functional status. Biva riate analysis showed that age, educational level, income level, occupation , symptoms of depression, and the expected return to work accounted for 61% of the variation in actual return to work. Conclusions. Factors other than operative technique, including patient expe ctations, are strongly associated wit return to work after inguinal hernia repair. Depression significantly delayed return to work. More research is n eeded to understand how expectations are formed and how decisions are made regarding return to work, and whether these can and/or should be influenced by surgeons, employers, or others to promote earlier return to work.