CLINICAL PATTERN AND EARLY SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF INGUINAL HERNIA REPAIR IN ADULTS ADMITTED TO SURGICAL WARDS AT ASELLA TEACHING AND REFERRAL HOSPITAL, ASELLA, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Inguinal hernia is one of the most common general surgical conditions worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries, delayed presentation and limited access to elective surgical care contribute to a higher burden of complicated hernias and poorer postoperative outcomes. In Ethiopia, there is limited evidence regarding the clinical pattern and early surgical outcomes of inguinal hernia repair. Objective: To assess the clinical pattern and early surgical outcomes of inguinal hernia repair among adult patients at Asella Teaching and Referral Hospital, Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to July 2025 among adult patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. Patient charts were retrieved using medical record numbers from operation theater logbooks and surgical ward admission registers. Data were entered into Kobo Toolbox, then coded, cleaned, and exported to the latest version of SPSS for analysis. Bivariate analysis was performed to assess associations between independent variables and postoperative outcomes. Variables with a p-value ≤ 0.25 in the bivariate analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Adjusted Odds Ratios (AORs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated, and variables with a p-value ≤ 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 114 patient records were analyzed. Most patients were male (73.7%), with a median age of 47 years. The majority of hernias were primary (91.2%), and indirect (75.4). Elective repairs accounted for 88.6% of cases, while 11.4% were emergencies. Tissue repair techniques predominated, with Desarda repair performed in 68.4% of patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 16.7% of cases, with surgical site infection being the most common (4.3%). On multivariable analysis, emergency presentation (AOR = 11.9; p = 0.001) and comorbidities (AOR = 10.6; p < 0.001) were independent predictors of adverse postoperative outcomes. Conclusion: Early postoperative outcomes were generally acceptable. However, emergency presentation and comorbid conditions significantly increased the risk of complications. Optimizing comorbidities and strengthening elective surgical services may improve outcomes in our settings. Keywords: Inguinal hernia; clinical pattern; early surgical outcomes; hernia repair; Ethiopia.