Patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence to glaucoma case management clinic in China

AIM:To assess glaucoma patient satisfaction and follow-up adherence in case management and identify associated predictors to improve healthcare quality and patient outcomes.METHODS:In this cross-sectional study,a total of 119 patients completed a Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 and a sociodemographic questionnaire.Clinical data was obtained from the case management system.Follow-up adherence was defined as completing each follow-up within±30d of the scheduled time set by ophthalmologists during the study period.RESULTS:Average satisfaction scored 78.65±7,with an average of 4.39±0.58 across the seven dimensions.Age negatively correlated with satisfaction(P=0.008),whilst patients with follow-up duration of 2 or more years reported higher satisfaction(P=0.045).Multivariate logistics regression analysis revealed that longer follow-up durations were associated with lower follow-up adherence(OR=0.97,95%CI,0.95-1.00,P=0.044).Additionally,patients with suspected glaucoma(OR=2.72,95%CI,1.03-7.20,P=0.044)and those with an annual income over 100000 Chinese yuan demonstrated higher adherence(OR=5.57,95%CI,1.00-30.89,P=0.049).CONCLUSION:The case management model proves effective for glaucoma patients,with positive adherence rates.The implementation of this model can be optimized in the future based on the identified factors and extended to glaucoma patients in more hospitals.

Expectations and Level of Satisfaction of the Patient with Parkinson’s Disease Undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established treatment for patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD). Reports show continued patient satisfaction after surgery despite not maintaining clinical improvement as measured by evolution scales. Objectives: The present study sought to explore expectations and level of satisfaction in patients after DBS surgery with a semi-structured questionnaire and subsequent correlation with functional scales, Quality of Life (QoL), and motor and non-motor symptoms. Methods: We performed descriptive statistics to represent demographic data, Wilcoxon rank tests to determine significant differences, and Spearman correlation between the applied scales. Results: We evaluated 20 patients with a history of DBS surgery. 45% were female, with a mean age of 55.7 ± 14.15 years, a mean disease duration of 13.42 ± 8.3 years, and a mean time after surgery of 3.18 ± 1.86 years. Patients reported surgery meeting expectations in 85.5% and continued satisfaction in 92%. These two variables showed a significant correlation. Conclusions: This sample of patients remained satisfied after DBS surgery, although we found no differences in motor and non-motor clinimetric scales. Further studies are needed to confirm the importance of assessing quality of life in patients with DBS.

Effect of Health Management in Raising Awareness Rate of Disease Prevention and Treatment in Patients with Prehypertension

Objective: To analyze the effect of health management on improving the awareness rate of disease prevention and treatment in patients with prehypertension, so as to provide guidance for clinical management of patients with prehypertension. Methods: 108 patients diagnosed with prehypertension in our hospital were divided into a control group and an experimental group. The control group was not given management measures, while the experimental group was given health management. The incidence of hypertension and cognition level of hypertension knowledge were compared between the two groups after management. Results: The incidence of hypertension in the experimental group was 7.41% lower than that in the control group 29.63%. The cognitive level of hypertension in the patients (66.54 ± 1.25) was significantly higher than that in the patients without health management (41.45 ± 2.45), and P < 0.05;Conclusion: For patients with prehypertension, the implementation of health management is helpful to improve their cognition of hypertension, master related prevention knowledge, and reduce the incidence of hypertension.

Patients’ Perception and Satisfaction with Waiting Time, and Facilities Available in a State Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic, Southeast, Nigeria

Patients’ satisfaction with waiting time and the facilities in eye clinics is an important indication of the patients’ assessment of the quality of service in the eye clinic. In this study, waiting time was defined as time spent from arrival to time when the patient is seen by a doctor. Some factors that affect patients’ waiting time in health clinics include: healthcare setting, availability of adequate resources and personnel, efficient deployment of available resources and competence of healthcare workers, and punctuality of healthcare workers. The physical environment, comfort of patients, and level of infrastructure in the hospital also influence patients’ satisfaction. This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among patients that attended an eye care clinic, in a tertiary hospital, and 348 respondents were interviewed. Most of the respondents were aged 40 years and above (64.4%), females (63.5%), Igbos by tribe (94.8%), married (63.2%), Christians (96.6%), and had at least a secondary level of education (78.4%). Most perceived waiting time as being very long or long (60.1%), and only 48.8 were satisfied or very satisfied with the waiting time. Most also perceived the cleanliness of the eye clinic as being clean or very clean (85.0%), and 70.7% perceived the ventilation as being adequate or very adequate. The majority reported that a health talk was given (71.6%), and 62.7% were satisfied or very satisfied with the talk. More respondents (46.8%) perceived the waiting space as very inadequate or inadequate, as against 43.4% that perceived it as adequate or very adequate. More reported that prescribed drugs were completely unavailable or few available (48.0%), while 42.3% reported drugs as being reasonably or completely available. It is important that management of health facilities that offer eye care services, work towards improving patients’ perception and satisfaction with services provided in the eye clinics.

Clinical efficacy of intradermal type Ⅰ collagen injections in treating skin photoaging in patients from high-altitude areas

BACKGROUND Photoaging,a result of chronic sun exposure,leads to skin damage and pigmentation changes.Traditional treatments may have limitations in high-altitude areas like Yunnan Province.Intradermal Col Ⅰ injections stimulate collagen production,potentially improving skin quality.This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment for photoaging.AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intradermal typeΙcollagen(ColΙ)injection for treating photoaging.METHODS This prospective,self-controlled study investigated the impact of intradermal injections of ColΙon skin photodamage in 20 patients from the Yunnan Province.Total six treatment sessions were conducted every 4 wk±3 d.Before and after each treatment,facial skin characteristics were quantified using a VISIA skin detector.Skin thickness data were assessed using the ultrasound probes of the Dermalab skin detector.The Face-Q scale was used for subjective evaluation of the treatment effect by the patients.RESULTS The skin thickness of the right cheek consistently increased after each treatment session compared with baseline.The skin thickness of the left cheek significantly increased after the third through sixth treatment sessions compared with baseline.The skin thickness of the right zygomatic region increased after the second to sixth treatment sessions,whereas that of the left zygomatic region showed a significant increase after the fourth through sixth treatment sessions.The skin thickness of both temporal regions significantly increased after the fifth and sixth treatment sessions compared with baseline(P<0.05).These findings were also supported by skin ultrasound images.The feature count for the red areas and wrinkle feature count decreased following the treatment(P<0.05).VISIA assessments also revealed a decrease in the red areas after treatment.The Face-QSatisfaction with Facial Appearance Overall and Face-Q-Satisfaction with Skin scores significantly increased after each treatment session.The overall appearance of the patients improved after treatment.CONCLUSION Intradermal ColΙinjection improves photoaging,with higher patient satisfaction and fewer adverse reactions,and could be an effective treatment method for populations residing in high-altitude areas.

Patient Satisfaction with Primary Health Care Services in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia

Patient satisfaction is a crucial measure of healthcare quality and plays a vital role in ensuring effective healthcare systems. This study aims to assess the level of patient satisfaction with primary healthcare services in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, identify social factors affecting satisfaction, and determine the reasons behind dissatisfaction and how to improve satisfaction. The study employed a cross-sectional observational design and included a random sample of 400 patients from primary healthcare centers in Riyadh. Data were collected using an electronic questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS software. The study found that patients were generally satisfied with the primary healthcare services provided in Riyadh, with high levels of satisfaction reported for booking appointments, triage services, and emergency care. However, some aspects of the healthcare experience, such as long waiting times and the physical design of healthcare centers, need improvement. These findings can be used to inform the development of policies and interventions aimed at enhancing healthcare quality in Saudi Arabia.

Comparison of perceived pain and patients’ satisfaction with traditional local anesthesia and single tooth anesthesia: A randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND Contemporary innovations in the area of local anesthesia have attempted to provide an absolutely pain free experience for patients.Since the introduction of Computer-Controlled Local Anesthetic Delivery Systems to dentistry,many studies have compared its efficacy and safety to conventional anesthesia.However,very few studies have compared single tooth anesthesia(STA)and traditional local anesthesia.AIM To compare pain rating,changes in blood pressure,and heart rate during the local anesthetic injection.The secondary objectives were to measure the patients’level of satisfaction and the differences in anesthetic efficiency between the STA system and traditional local infiltration.METHODS A randomized controlled trial was conducted and a total of 80 patients with dental restorative needs were enrolled for the study.The patients were evaluated for their general physical status and oral clinical findings before enrollment.Information regarding perceived pain,changes in heart rate and blood pressure,and patients’satisfaction was collected using an electronic data form and was analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests.RESULTS No significant difference was noted in perceived pain(P=0.59)and systolic blood pressure(P=0.09)during anesthetic injection using both traditional and STA techniques.STA patients had a significantly higher heart rate during anesthesia,although a statistically significant difference was noted among the traditional anesthesia and the STA groups even before anesthesia.During the restorative procedure,less pain was perceived by STA patients on the Wong-Baker FACES pain scale,which was statistically significant(P<0.001).Analyses of post-procedure patient responses showed that STA patients had a significantly better treatment experience and preferred to have the same method of injection in the future(P=0.04).CONCLUSION STA system can provide less painful and more comfortable restorative treatment procedures in comparison to the traditional infiltration technique.

Competency-based management effects on satisfaction of nurses and patients

Purpose:To evaluate the effect of competency-based management in improving nurse and patient satisfaction.Methods:According to the competency-based management objectives and principles,821 nurses were classified into different levels based on clear nurse qualifications and post responsibilities.According to the different levels of nursing staff and training plans with different emphases,the goal was for the nursing staff to gradually achieve the corresponding level.Targeted training programs for different levels of nurses were formulated to enable nurses to gradually increase their competency levels.Results:After implementation of competency-based management,nurse job satisfaction and patient satisfaction increased significantly(P<0.01).Additionally,the reported nurse job burnout decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:Competency-based management can promote nurses’enthusiasm,reduce job burnout,improve job satisfaction,as well as improve patient satisfaction.

The level of patients’ satisfaction and perception on quality of nursing services in the Renal unit, Kenyatta National Hospital Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction: Renal failure is on the increase and patients have to identify with renal services and centres where services for renal replacement therapies are rendered. This calls for health care workers to offer services that are perceived as quality and satisfying in order to meet the biophysical and psychological needs of the patients. Study design: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study undertaken at the Renal unit of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Purpose: The study aimed at determining the level of satisfaction and perception of the quality of nursing services in the Renal unit. Methodology: The study population included all patients who were seeking dialysis services during one month period of data collection. The sample size was 151 following data collection. Data collection tools consisted of semi-structured questionnaires which were administered with the aid of research assistants as well as checklists which were self administered. Data analysis and results: Analysis of data was performed using the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results of data analysis were presented in form of descriptive statistics which included mean, standard deviation and percentages. Regression analysis, t-test and ANOVA were conducted to determine demographic predictors of patient satisfaction with the nursing services. The results of the study revealed that patients in the Renal unit were generally satisfied with the nursing services. The aggregate mean score for all patients on Likert scale was 71.2 out of 105, with a standard deviation of 16.8. Level of satisfaction was 67.8%. The findings also showed that there was no association between demographic characteristics with the levels of satisfaction with the nursing services. Recommendation: The hospital should keep the patients’ level of satisfaction high and maintain it through the provision of more dialysis machines and hiring more nurses.

Satisfaction about Patient-centeredness and Healthcare System among Patients with Chronic Multimorbidity

The aim of the present study was to measure the prevalence of multimorbidity in Bangladesh,India and China,and to assess the relationship between multimorbidity and patient＇s opinion regarding their involvement in healthcare decision-making and overall satisfaction of healthcare system.Cross-sectional data on 18 696 men and women aged 18 and above were collected from the World Health Survey of World Health Organization（WHO）.Outcome variables were subjective rating of（1） healthcare system＇s ability to involve patients in decision-making,and（2） satisfaction with the way healthcare system runs in the country.Self-reported chronic conditions were used to measure the prevalence of multimorbidity.Out of 9 chronic conditions,back pain,arthritis,and chronic cough appeared to be the most prevalent ones among majority of the participants.About one-third of the participants in China（30.7%） and two-thirds in Bangladesh（66.1%） and India（66.6%） reported having at least one chronic illness.Prevalence of multimorbidity was highest in India（34.3%） followed by Bangladesh（28.8%） and China（14.3%）.In Bangladesh,India and China,respectively 70.5%,41.7%,61.3% women and 54.5%,42.8% and 58.8 % men expressed dissatisfaction regarding the way healthcare system runs in their country.In Bangladesh and India,men who were living with multimorbidity were more likely to rate the patient-centeredness as ＂bad＂ than those who had no disease illness.This study suggests that the prevalence of multimorbidity was remarkably high especially in Bangladesh and India.Higher likelihood of dissatisfaction about healthcare system among multimorbid patients might be indicative of inadequacy in the provision of care in qualitative and quantitative terms.Key words

Treatment Satisfaction with Insulin Glargine in Insulin-Naïve Type 2 Diabetes Patients—A Hong Kong Based Registry

Objective: To evaluate patient satisfaction with insulin glargine. Design: Multicentre observational registry. Data were collected at baseline/inclusion visit, and 12 and 24 weeks. Setting: Physicians in Hong Kong, who managed type 2 diabetes patients and had >5 years’ experience in using insulin glargine. Patients: People with type 2 diabetes, new to insulin, aged 18 - 75 years, who were previously being treated with ≤3 oral antidiabetes drugs (OAD) and had HbA1c > 7%, and in whom the?physicians had chosen to prescribe glargine for the first time. Main outcome measures: Treatment satisfaction assessed by Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQs), glycaemic control (fasting blood glucose and HbA1c) and adverse events. Results: Between April 2010-October 2011, 41 patients completed the study. Average duration of diabetes and OAD therapy was 7.8 ± 8.0 years and 6.7 ± 7.4 years, respectively. The global DTSQs treatment satisfaction scores improved from 20.9 at baseline to 28.4 (p < 0.05) at the end of 24 weeks insulin glargine treatment. Analysis of DTSQs scores showed a decrease in perceived frequency of hyperglycaemia (4.1 to 1.9, p < 0.001) and hypoglycemia (2.2 to 1.5, p = 0.079). Perceived convenience (0.60, p < 0.025) and flexibility (0.9, p < 0.009) were also improved from baseline. Reduction in mean HbA1c (10.2% ± 2.2% to 7.0% ± 1.0%) and fasting blood glucose (10.9 ± 4.0 mmol/L to 6.4 ± 1.8 mmol/L) from baseline to study termination was significant (p < 0.05). Almost half (48.7%) of patients achieved HbA1c ≤ 7.0%, while 26.0% patients had FBG < 5.6 mmol/L. In total, 9 (22.0%) patients experienced at least one hypoglycemia event;there were no reports of severe hypoglycaemia. Conclusions: Despite a small number of subjects completed in this study, the study demonstrated clearly that the addition of insulin glargine to OAD therapy in diabetes management improved treatment satisfaction and perceived frequency of hyper-and hypoglycaemia together with glycaemic control close to recommended target without severe side-effects in this cohort of patients in Hong Kong.

Effects of a Care Workshop on Caring Behaviors as Measured by Patients and Patient Satisfaction

Caring is a central focus of nursing, and patient satisfaction is a critical indicator of nursing care quality. The aim of this study was to determine the effects that a care workshop exerted on nurse caring behaviors as perceived by patients and reflected by patient satisfaction. A quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design without a control group was applied. The intervention consisted of several facets: 1) formal educational sessions twice a week for six weeks, 2) an angel-master mentorship activity, and 3) posts of exemplary caring behavior and stories. A demographic questionnaire, the Modified Nurse Caring Behaviors Inventory, and the Hartford Hospital Satisfaction Survey were used in this study. Descriptive statistics were analyzed to evaluate participant demographic characteristics. Paired t tests were used to determine the effects of a care workshop on nurse caring behaviors as perceived by patients and reflected by patient satisfaction. Of the 236 patients enrolled, 49.6% were women and 57.2% were admitted to medical-surgical units. Female patients rated nurse caring behaviors higher and reported greater patient satisfaction than did male patients on the pretest (p p p p p p = 0.000). Caring educational programs for nurses are commonly regarded to be an essential strategy for promoting care knowledge and practice and improving patient satisfaction. According to the favorable results of this study, care workshops must be provides to nurses in other units or hospitals in future studies.

Nurses’ Job Satisfaction and Motivation: Patients’ and Nurses’ Perceptions

Background: High quality care is the main concern of healthcare administrators and it was found to be related to nurses’ job satisfaction and motivation. Purpose: The study aimed to compare patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of nurses’ job satisfaction and motivation. Method: In this cross-sectional study the participants were 315 released patients and 329 nurses from eight hospitals in northern Israel. The participants completed three questionnaires: demographics, nursing job satisfaction, and nursing job motivation. Results: Nurses perceived both job satisfaction and motivation higher than the patients. Duration of hospitalization and being accompanied by family, were positively correlated to patients’ perceptions of these variables. Conclusion/Implications for Practice: To optimize care quality, it is important to assess both patients’ and nurses’ perceptions of nurses’ job satisfaction and motivation. Such an assessment may shed light on the nursing experience and on the way that it is reflected in the patients’ experience. A system-wide process is needed to set a national standard for service quality while emphasizing strategies that promote recognition of nurses’ work, for example, compliments and acknowledgment. This could enhance nurses’ sense of work engagement, which, in turn, may increase the patients’ perception of nurses’ job satisfaction and motivation.

What Contributes to Satisfaction with Care for Family Caregivers of Terminal Cancer Patients Admitted to General Wards? A Qualitative Study

Satisfaction with care is an important indicator for family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer and is linked to the quality of life. Despite this, few studies have examined the aspects of satisfaction with care of family caregivers of inpatients with cancer in general wards. This qualitative study aimed to elucidate the elements of satisfaction with the care that inpatients with terminal cancer in general wards and their family caregivers receive from medical staff, as perceived by the family caregivers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 family caregivers of inpatients with terminal cancer. Participants were asked about the care received until then from medical staff, the features of satisfactory care, and the aspects of care they felt were unsatisfactory or could become satisfactory with improvement. The data were analyzed with the content analysis method and the six categories were extracted. For family caregivers of inpatients with terminal cancer in general wards, along with the care identified as important in palliative care, the methods of alleviating symptoms and explaining the patient’s condition were also important. The results highlight the importance of determining a patient-oriented approach and explanations together with each patient and family caregiver, based on an understanding of the long treatment process.

Satisfaction of Patients Examined with Mobile X-Ray vs. X-Ray at the Hospital—A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: In the Municipality of Aarhus, Denmark, mobile X-ray is offered to selected patients when a transfer to the Department of Radiology may be an obstacle. To our knowledge, no studies have examined patient’s satisfaction with mobile X-ray in a randomized controlled trial, but international qualitative and quantitative studies report a high level of patient satisfaction with mobile X-ray. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether patients in aged care facilities who were offered mobile X-ray were more satisfied with the X-ray examination compared to patients examined with X-ray at the Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital. Design: A part of a randomized controlled trial. Methods: Satisfaction was measured using a self-developed questionnaire, containing 13 questions measuring satisfaction from different perspectives. Participants: Due to patient’s fragility, healthcare staff members answered questions concerning satisfaction on behalf of the patients, who had been examined with mobile X-ray (n = 66) or X-ray at the hospital (n = 63). The patients were living in nursing homes and homes for the elderly in Aarhus Municipality. Data: Data were collected and stored using the computer program REDCap. Data were statistically analyzed using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Patients examined with mobile X-ray had a significantly higher satisfaction rate than those examined with X-ray at the hospital. Conclusion: Satisfaction of patients examined with X-ray was reported by healthcare staff to be in favor of mobile X-ray.

Assessment of Satisfaction with Life among Elderly Patients Receiving HIV Care and Treatment in Mulago HIV Clinic: A Chronic Illness Quality of Life Model

Objective: This study aimed at assessing satisfaction with life among elderly HIV patients attending Mulago HIV Clinic. Methodology: A cross-sectional study design carried out among elderly people (>50 years old) attending Mulago HIV clinic, as stated by the WHO standard age cut-off of >50 years. A random selection of 353 elderly HIV patients was made. The study collected quantitative data to assess patient satisfaction with life, Illness related to discrimination, Barriers to healthcare and social services, and Physical wellbeing, social support and coping using quantitative data collection techniques. Interview discussions were harnessed to obtain patients’ opinions and perceptions and then results grouped into themes. EPIDATA and STATA 14.2 statistical softwares were used for statistical analysis. Results: The study showed that only variables that were significantly associated at multivariate level are, disagreeing that other patients are seen before you when you are first to arrive, which had an odds ratio of 2.87, disagreeing that your employer can never promote you which had an odds ratio of 6.87 compared to agreeing, not being sure whether friend or family member cannot share room/utensil/clothes with you reduced the odds of being satisfied by 95% when compared to agreeing and disagreeing that friend or family member blames you for not getting better with an odds ratio of 5.65 compared to agreeing. Conclusion: This study unearthed existing gaps in levels of satisfaction. These shortfalls in the service delivery can be addressed according to the following recommendations below: Create a quick way for elderly patients to see a clinician and give them priority, provide more work-related support awareness programs;Put more efforts towards counselling care takers or family members who help them to adhere or socialize with them.

Disposable circumcision suture device： clinical effect and patient satisfaction

In our experience patients undergoing circumcision are mostly concerned about pain and penile appearances. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the benefits of a new disposable circumcision suture device （DCSD）. A total of 942 patients were equally divided into three groups （conventional circumcision, Shang ring and disposable suture device group）. Patients in the DCSD group were anesthetized with compound 5% lidocaine cream, the others with a 2% lidocaine penile block. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, incision healing time, intra-operative and post-operative pain, the penile appearance and overall satisfaction degree were measured. Operation time and intra-operative blood loss were significantly lower in the Shang ring and suture device groups compared to the conventional group （P 〈 0.001）. Intra-operative pain was less in the suture device group compared With the other two groups （P 〈 0.001）; whereas post-operative pain was higher in the conventional group compared to the other two groups （P 〈 0.001）. Patients in the suture device （80.57%） and Shang ring （73,57%） groups were more satisfied with penile appearances compared with the conventional circumcision group （20.06%, P 〈 0.05）. Patients in suture device group also healed markedly faster than the conventional group （P 〈 0.01）. The overall satisfaction rate was better in the suture device group （78.66%） compared with the conventional （47.13%） and Shang ring （50.00%） groups （P 〈 0.05）. The combination of DCSD and lidocaine cream resulted in shorter operation and incision healing times, reduced intra-operative and post-operative pain and improved patient satisfaction with the cosmetic appearances.

Surgical outcome and patient satisfaction after Z-epicanthoplasty and blepharoplasty

AIM: To evaluate surgical outcomes of modified Z-epicanthoplasty with blepharoplasty that we previously reported from the patient’s perspective using patient-reported outcome measures(PROMs) and patient satisfaction scores.METHODS: A total of patients(n=180) who underwent the surgery between January 2013 and June 2016 were randomly selected. Standardized patient satisfaction forms(total score, 40) and validated PROMs questionnaires(total score, 12) were sent to patients for completion. PROMs assesses the severity of scarring, pain and asymmetry, as well as functional and appearance issues.RESULTS: All patients were female, ranging from 18 to 35 years old(mean=24). The response rate was 73.3%(n=132). The majority of patients reported good or excellent outcomes based on PROM analysis. Patients reported minimum or non-visible scarring at both the double eyelid surgical scar(85.6%) and the inner canthus(80.3%). Issues concerning function and appearance were minimal as 80.3% reported satisfaction with both domains. Notably, the majority of patients reported either a high or very high satisfaction rate to yield a mean score of 104 out of 120(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Integration of our modified Z-epicanthoplasty with blepharoplasty produces good outcomes based on PROM results, which shows a positive linear relationship with patient satisfaction scores.

Long term recurrence,pain and patient satisfaction after ventral hernia mesh repair

AIM: To compare long term outcomes of laparoscopic and open ventral hernia mesh repair with respect to recurrence, pain and satisfaction.METHODS: We conducted a single-centre follow-up study of 194 consecutive patients after laparoscopic and open ventral hernia mesh repair between March 2000 and June 2010. Of these, 27 patients(13.9%) died and 12(6.2%) failed to attend their follow-up appointment. One hundred and fifty-three(78.9%) patients attended for follow-up and two patients(1.0%) were interviewed by telephone. Of those who attended the follow-up appointment, 82(52.9%) patients had received laparoscopic ventral hernia mesh repair(LVHR) while 73(47.1%) patients had undergone open ventral hernia mesh repair(OVHR), including 11 conversions. The follow-up study included analyses of medical records, clinical interviews, examination of hernia recurrence and assessment of pain using a 100 mm visual analogue scale(VAS) ruler anchored by word descriptors. Overall patient satisfaction was also determined. Patients with signs of recurrence were examined by magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography scan.RESULTS: Median time from hernia mesh repair to follow-up was 48 and 52 mo after LVHR and OVHR respectively. Overall recurrence rates were 17.1% after LVHR and 23.3% after OVHR. Recurrence after LVHR was associated with higher body mass index. Smoking was associated with recurrence after OVHR. Chronic pain(VAS > 30 mm) was reported by 23.5% in the laparoscopic cohort and by 27.8% in the open surgery cohort. Recurrence and late complications were predictors of chronic pain after LVHR. Smoking was associated with chronic pain after OVHR. Sixty point five percent were satisfied with the outcome after LVHR and 49.3% after OVHR. Predictors for satisfaction were absence of chronic pain and recurrence. Old age and short time to follow-up also predicted satisfaction after LVHR.CONCLUSION: LVHR and OVHR give similar long term results for recurrence, pain and overall satisfaction. Chronic pain is frequent and is therefore important for explaining dissatisfaction.