Advice on driving after groin hernia surgery in the United Kingdom: questionnaire survey
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Editorial: Driving after repair of groin hernia
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Advice given to patients on when to drive after groin hernia surgery is inconsistent, varying from the day of surgery to two months after surgery, according to a study in this week's BMJ, highlighting the need for national guidelines to be developed.
Ismail and colleagues, from Harold Wood Hospital in Romford, Essex, surveyed 200 consultant general surgeons and managers of 30 day surgery units in the UK about advice they give to patients on driving after groin hernia repair. Advice ranged from it was all right for patients to drive the same day, to patients should wait six to eight weeks before driving. The most common response, given by 38 surgeons, was that patients should wait two weeks.
Eighty-five surgeons based their advice on common sense and traditional practice, and 16 relied on published data. Yet even these 16 gave variable advice, say the authors. Furthermore, many day units did not provide written information on driving after hernia repair or failed to document what information had been given, they add.
Given the potential safety, financial and social implications of driving after hernia surgery, surgeons and day surgery units should be able to provide patients with consistent, evidence-based information on driving different types of vehicles, say the authors. They stress the points which should be taken into consideration when advising patients when they may safely drive after groin hernia surgery and call for national guidelines on this issue to be developed.
Contact:
Wael Ismail, Locum Consultant Surgeon, Harold Wood Hospital, Romford, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1708 708 380
Mobile: 0973 620 211 or (PA): 07967 118 679
Fax: +44 (0)1708 708 372
Email: Wael@ismail.com