It is assumed that kidney transplant (KT) recipients have more complications, longer length of stay (LOS) and higher hospital cost associated with general surgery procedures, but this has not been studied formally. This is first study of these outcomes in inguinal hernia repairs for KT recipients using a nationwide data set.

METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to study 534 adult KT recipients and 340,000 non-transplant recipients who underwent open inguinal hernia repair between 2000-2011, including patients with elective, urgent or emergent repair. Outcomes of surgery at either a transplant or non-transplant center were compared. Hospitals were categorized as a transplant center if at least one transplant was performed during the study period. ICD-9 codes were used to categorize complications. Multilevel negative binomial, linear mixed and logistic models were used to compare LOS, hospital cost, and complication rates respectively.

RESULTS: Of KT recipients, 72% had procedures performed at transplant centers, while non-transplant patients had 16% of procedures at transplant centers. Median hospital charges and LOS were similar for KT recipients and non-transplant patients ($6198 vs $5741 p=0.27; 2d vs 2d p=0.64). KT recipients were not at an increased risk of complications (aOR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.29-1.16), an extended LOS (IRR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.73-1.05) or higher costs (ratio 1.01, 95% CI 0.89-1.16) regardless of center type.

CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative outcomes following inguinal hernia repair in KT recipients are comparable to non-transplant patients. Although the majority of KT recipients undergo hernia repair at transplant centers, center type has no association with complication rate, LOS, or cost. This suggests that KT recipients may safely and feasibly undergo inguinal hernia repair at non-transplant centers.

CITATION INFORMATION: DiBrito S, Olorundare I, Landazabal C, Segev D, Dagher N. Outcomes Following Inguinal Hernia Repair in Kidney Transplant Recipients. Am J Transplant. 2016;16 (suppl 3).

« Back to 2016 American Transplant Congress