[Attempted Assessment of the Incidence and Cost of Surgical Treatment of Inginal Hernias in Poland in the Years 2001-2002]

A comprehensive, up-to-date assessment of the incidence and treatment cost of inguinal hernias in Poland is made difficult by the lack of a central data registry and insufficient accuracy of the data available. Therefore, research was undertaken in order to evaluate the incidence and cost of inguinal hernia treatment in the years 2001-2002 in Poland. Survey-derived data was collected from Regional Health Funds operating similar data management systems in 2002 and the Regional Branches of the National Health Fund in 2003. The number of inguinal hernia repairs, length of hospital stay, as well as the cost of these procedures and the overall number of insured people in the region were assessed. Data was obtained from 11 units (Regional Health Funds, Branches of the National Health Fund). The length of hospital stay differed between individual Regional Health Funds. The annual cost of inguinal hernia treatment amounts to approximately 100 million PLN.