Objective:

To describe the clinical outcomes of patients with unilateral inguinal hernia (UIH) treated in an ambulatory surgical unit (ASU) of a level III hospital.

Methods:

The clinical charts of patients treated at the ASU of Cayetano Heredia Hospital from July 2013 to June 2016 were reviewed.

Results:

154 patients were included, mean age was 43 years; 101 (65.6%) were males; 104 (67.5%) had ASA I risk; 12 (7.8%) had underlying diseases; 94 (61.0%) undergone the open technique and 60 (39.0%) undergone laparoscopy. Laparoscopy was most frequently applied in women (p=0.037). Surgical time was higher in laparoscopic procedures (p=0.033). No significant differences were observed in variables such as age, surgical risk, anesthetic and surgical complications between open and laparoscopic procedures. Thirty-four (22%) patients were not discharged the day of the procedure: 8 (5.2%) presented complications and 26 (16.8%) had administrative or social reasons.

Conclusion

: Ambulatory surgery of UIH in adults either by open or laparoscopic procedures is safe and allows discharging patients the day of the procedure.

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