Outcomes and charges associated with outpatient inguinal hernia repair according to method of anesthesia and surgical approach

Background We conducted this study to compare short-term outcomes and charges between methods of hernia repair and anesthesia in the outpatient setting. Methods Using New York's state ambulatory surgery databases, we identified discharges for patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. Patients were grouped by method of hernia repair. We compared hospital-based acute care encounters and total charges across groups. Results Locoregional anesthesia (5.2%) experienced a similar frequency of hospital-based acute care encounters within 30 days of discharge when compared with patients receiving general (6.0%) or having a laparoscopic procedure (6.0%). Risk-adjusted charges increased across groups (locoregional = $6,845 vs general = $7,839 vs laparoscopic = $11,340, P <.01). Conclusion Open inguinal hernia repair under local anesthesia reduces healthcare charges.