Treatment of Occult Inguinal Hernias

Running, not enrolling · Phase 2

Conditions studied: Inguinal Hernia

In brief

Inguinal hernias are a common surgical problem. Best management of occult inguinal hernias, defined as hernias unable to be felt on physical exam, is unknown. From prior studies we know that most inguinal hernias will eventually become symptomatic and require surgery (70%). However, doing a repair on a very small, occult hernia may open the patient up to surgical complications, like chronic pain, earlier than necessary. This will be a multi-center randomized controlled trial of surgical repair versus expectant management of occult inguinal hernias. Patients undergoing laparoscopic unilateral inguinal hernia repair will be included. At the time of surgery, the surgeon will determine if there is an occult hernia contralateral side. If present, patients will be randomized to repair of the occult side or expectant management of the occult side. After 1 year post-operative data has been assessed, a decision tool will be created and administered to patients to aid in their decision making about treatments for their hernia.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT04815707

Run by

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

People needed

252

Starts

2021-10-22

Expected to finish

2026-10-01

Last updated by the study team

2026-02-17

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Age 18 or older
• Patients undergoing unilateral laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, found to have a contralateral occult inguinal hernia

You may not qualify if…

• Patient has life expectancy of less than 2 years
• Patients unlikely to follow-up (e.g. live out of state, unable to be reached by phone/e-mail
• Non-English and Non-Spanish speakers
• Pregnant or breast-feeding patients

Where it is running

• Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital — Houston, Texas, United States
• Memorial Hermann Hospital-MIST Clinics — Houston, Texas, United States

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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