Kingsnorth's modified score as predictor of complications in open inguinal hernia repair

Purpose This study aims to analyse the postoperative complications (30 days) on unilateral primary inguinal hernia repair and prove their correlation with the preoperative modified scoring system of Kingsnorth (KN). Methods Prospective study design collecting data from patients who underwent surgery for unilateral primary inguinal hernia in a University Hospital. The data were collected in the National Inguinal Hernia Registry (EVEREG). A statistical analysis to assess the association between the presence of postoperative complications and the preoperative and intraoperative variables was performed. The patients were classified depending on their KN score. Surgical complications and their relationship with the classification were specifically analysed. Study design was performed following STROBE statements. Results The sample included 403 patients who met the inclusion criteria from which 62 (15.3%) subjects presented postoperative complications. The variables that presented a statistically significant relationship with the appearance of complications were a KN score of 5–8 (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.07–4.82; P = 0.03) and the involvement of a member of the abdominal wall surgery unit in the procedure (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.08–0.92; P = 0.03). The KN score correlated with a longer duration of surgery (Pearson's correlation 0.291; P