@article{ref1,
title="Driving ability after right-sided inguinal hernia surgery",
journal="Surgical Endoscopy",
year="2021",
author="Bellmann, Paul and Ng, Caecilia and Süss, Markus and Moroder, Lukas and Krismer, Martin and Schmid, Thomas and Liebensteiner, Michael",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="PURPOSE: To investigate driving ability (brake reaction time, BRT) after right-sided hernia repair. It was assumed that postoperatively BRT would be impaired as compared to the preoperative reference and healthy controls. <br><br>METHODS: BRT was prospectively collected from 30 patients undergoing hernia repair [Lichtenstein or total extraperitoneal endoscopic procedure (TEP)]. BRT was measured with a driving simulator preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 14. After receiving a visual stimulus, the patients had to apply the brake pedal with 160 N. The average of ten runs was used as the patient's BRT value. <br><br>RESULTS: Thirty patients completed all measurements. In the Lichtenstein group, BRT was significantly impaired as compared to the patient's preoperative values (p = 0.021). Two weeks after surgery BRT had returned to the preoperative level (p = 0.859). BRT in the Lichtenstein group was also significantly impaired 2 days postoperatively as compared to the BRT of 60 healthy controls (p = 0.001). In the TEP group, no impaired BRT was detected. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Based on our finding of significantly impaired BRT in patients following right-sided Lichtenstein hernia repair, it seems wise to recommend that such patients refrain from driving for 2 weeks after surgery. No such impairment was found in patients following TEP surgery. Consequently, it is deemed safe for them to resume driving 2 days after the procedure.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0930-2794",
doi="10.1007/s00464-021-08432-y",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00464-021-08432-y"
}