The Swedish hernia register: an eight year experience

Summary

In 1992 surgeons from eight Swedish hospitals established a register for inguinal and femoral hernia repair in the hope of improving techniques and results in hernia surgery. The aims of the register were defined as follows: to describe and analyze hernia surgery, and to stimulate improvements at the participating units. All operations on patients above the age of 15years are recorded according to a protocol in which patient characteristics, type of hernia, method of repair, form of anesthesia, time in hospital, complications and re-operation, if applicable, are noted. The hernia register is one of | many so-called National Quality Registers in Sweden. These registers are voluntary and are permitted to use Personal Numbers, which are identification numbers unique for each citizen in Sweden, thereby allowing patients to be followed over time and between participating hospitals. The registers are required to have professional support and are financially supported by the National Board of Health and Welfare and the Federation of County Councils in Sweden.