Do we need changes in the organization of training in the hernia treatment in Poland? A survey on the acknowledgment of the recommendations of international hernia societies by surgeons.

In the therapy of an inguinal hernia, there is a huge variety in the way of treating and the choice of surgical technique. Practice shows that the intraoperative improvisation and surgeons' own modifications of the original techniques have become part of routine procedure. No mandatory hernia registration system causes the actual detailed herniology status in our country remains unknown. The aim of the study was to summarize the results of a survey on knowledge of a hernia according to the standards developed by international hernia societies compared with everyday clinical practice. During the International Conference Hernia in Poland, which took place on 10 December 2016 in Zakopane we conducted an interactive session among 106 surgeons dealing with hernias. Surgeons responded to 66 questions about daily surgical practice and decision making in their centers, and 27 questions for the assessment of the world's latest treatment recommendations regarding groin hernias. The most common method of using the implant technique Lichtenstein, used by 91% of doctors. 20% of surgeons in planned operations in adult men routinely uses no mesh technique. Almost 80% of respondents do not apply TEP or TAPP. Only 45.7% of surgeons customize surgical technique to the patient. Only 7 of the 27 analyzed recommendation has been accepted by more than 90% of respondents. 9 of the 27 recommendations were approved by less than half of the surgeons. In the case of 11 recommendations, surgeons simultaneously failed to comply with these recommendations in daily practice. Deficiencies in the system of training and the underfunding of medical procedures cause insufficient TAPP/ TEP availability in Poland in an inguinal hernia. Improvement of the surgeons' knowledge on how to perform surgery.