13 Risk Documentation in Consent Form of Open Inguinal Hernia Repair

Abstract Introduction Inguinal hernia repair is amongst the most commonly performed general surgical operations. The high case load of groin in our hospital has potential to have risk medical legal complications. importance discussing these complications with patients, allowing them make informed decisions about their care, and clearly documenting during consent process, clear. Aim We aimed assess quality consistency forms for open inguinal repairs emphasis on risks being documented. Objectives Measure compliance Trust (RCS) British Hernia Society (BHS) 2016 guidelines European (EHS) International Groin Management (2019). Method Retrospective form analysis was carried out all (38) done July-September 2020. documentation 13 pre-determined risks, analysed, some specific repairs, others Results A total 38 were audited. Infection (100%) bleeding (95%) documented risks. chronic infection/abscess formation (5%), numbness (60%), testicular atrophy (31%) scarring (34%) increased compared two previous audit phases, latter significantly so. Unfortunately, many audited (8/13) showed a decrease only examined meeting standard or ‘partially’ it. Notably, recurrence damage other structures dropped by over 10% (17% drop 31% drop, respectively).