The findings from a new study suggest that hernias that develop during pregnancy can often be safely repaired at the time of cesarean section, thereby avoiding the need for another surgical procedure.

Previous reports have described combining hernia repair with prostate surgery and other abdominal procedures. However, few have described hernia repair performed in conjunction with c-section.

Dr. Nicole Ochsenbein-Kolble and colleagues, from University Hospital in Zurich, compared the outcomes of eight women who underwent c-section plus hernia repair with those of a comparison group of 305 women who underwent c-section alone over a 10-year period. The new findings appear in the Archives of Surgery.

No major complications were observed in any of the women undergoing the combined procedure, but one patient did experience a minor delay in wound healing, the researchers note.

No differences in blood loss, pain medication use, or hospital stay were noted between combination surgery group and the comparison group.

After an average follow-up period of 56 months, no hernia recurrences were noted in the study group. With the exception of one patient who attributed chronic leg pain to the combined procedure, all of the women were satisfied with the operation and said they would recommend it to others.

“Our results in a pilot group indicate that the combination approach is safe, effective, and well accepted,” the authors state. “Confirmation in a larger population should establish it as a recommendable procedure.”

SOURCE: Archives of Surgery, August 2004.