Demographic and socioeconomic aspects of hernia repair in the United States in 2003.

Data from the National Center for Health Statistics reveals that approximately 800,000 groin hernia repairs were completed in the United States in 2003. More than 90% of these operations involve the use of mesh prosthesis and are performed on an outpatient basis. The two most common groin hernia repair techniques are the Lichtenstein and plug hernioplasties. Economic evaluation of groin hernia surgery demonstrates that the most important component of cost effectiveness is the aggregate time the patient spends in the operating room, recovery room, and the length of his or her overall stay in the facility.