Exploring Hernia Surgery Options for Women

Alphonsus Matovu, a doctoral student within the Reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Global Surgery research group at the Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, is set to defend his thesis on “Groin Hernia Surgery in Women: Outputs, Factors, Methods, and Cost-effectiveness” on June 2, 2025, under the guidance of supervisor Jenny Löfgren.

Overview of Thesis Focus

This research primarily investigates groin hernia surgeries specifically in women, with an emphasis on evaluating the surgical outcomes, key influencing factors, various surgical techniques, and their cost-effectiveness.

Key Findings from the Research

• The overall outcomes of groin hernia surgery, particularly among women in Uganda, are suboptimal.
• Suture-based techniques remain the predominant method for hernia repairs in Uganda.
• In Sweden, higher parity (the number of times a woman has given birth) is associated with a greater incidence of groin hernia repairs, suggesting it may be a risk factor.
• Femoral hernias appear to be notably prevalent among women in Uganda, and it is essential to inspect the femoral canal by opening the transversalis fascia during open anterior repairs to avoid overlooking these hernias.
• The modified open anterior mesh repair technique, which involves creating a mesh flap over the femoral canal, stands out as an effective treatment for both inguinal and femoral hernias, especially where laparoscopy is unavailable, and proves to be cost-effective in the Ugandan context.

Potential Health Benefits of This Research

This study lays the groundwork for initiatives aimed at improving access to groin hernia surgeries in Uganda. By promoting a systematic and widespread introduction of mesh-based repair methods, the research has the potential to lead to lower recurrence rates. It also highlights the importance of integrating clinical evaluations, imaging studies, and surgical techniques for women suffering from groin hernias.

The emphasis on the modified open anterior mesh repair technique, particularly where laparoscopy is not accessible, aims to minimize hernia recurrence and alleviate chronic groin pain. The insights gained from this research are expected to have implications in both low- and high-income countries.

Aspiring Future Directions

Matovu’s future aspirations include establishing a hernia registry to systematically track the outcomes associated with groin hernia repairs in Uganda. He also plans to undertake further investigations into the modified open anterior mesh repair method, focusing on training local surgeons through longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials.

For additional details, refer to the thesis by Alphonsus Matovu titled “Groin Hernia Surgery in Women: Outputs, Factors, Methods, and Cost-effectiveness” (2025). DOI: 10.69622/28525451.v1