Incidence of inguinal hernias following radical retropubic prostatectomy

Abstract

We believe this to be the first report in the English literature describing postoperative inguinal hernias following retropubic prostatectomy. A significantly higher incidence (12%) of inguinal hernias was noted in the postprostatectomy population compared with the general adult male population (5%). This finding suggests that inguinal hernias can be a consequence of RRP. Urologists should be cognizant of this possibility in order to screen all patients carefully prior to surgery for subtle weakness in the inguinal canal, as well as to inform patients properly of the possibility of developing an inguinal hernia after surgery.