Table 1.

Questionnaire on asymptomatic hernias in the groin area.

Case 1: A 35-year-old patient with no previous antecedent, consulting for a troublesome inguinal hernia. You see on examination a hernia on the symptomatic side and a hint of contralateral hernia. What do you propose for asymptomatic hernia?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	18,4% 5,6% 14,3% 1,5% 12,8% 47,4%	Abstention: 38% Surgery: 62%
Case 2: Institutionalized 90-year-old patient with Alzheimer's dementia under aspirin for primary prevention referred for the discovery of femoral hernia during a hospitalization for acute pyelonephritis. What do you propose?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	52% 14,3% 2,6% 10,7% 13,3% 7,1%	Abstention: 38% Surgery: 62%
Case 3: A 78-year-old patient with severe vascular comorbidities (ischemic stroke with hemiplegia and sequelar aphasia, right femoral stent), referred for the discovery of an asymptomatic left inguinal hernia, during a routine clinical examination by his attending physician. You confirm the diagnosis of a small direct inguinal hernia, uncomplicated. What do you propose?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	48,5% 20,9% 13,3% 0,5% 13,3% 3,6%	Abstention: 69% Surgery: 31%
Case 4: A 55-year-old patient with no major medical-surgical history, referred for the discovery of a small asymptomatic inguinal hernia during a urologist's assessment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Prostate adenoma has been medically treated for 3 months with good efficacy. You confirm the presence of a small inguinal hernia. What do you propose for asymptomatic hernia?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	18,4% 16,3% 21,9% 1% 22,4% 19,9%	Abstention: 83% Surgery: 17%
Case 5: A 70-year-old patient, without major medical-surgical history, consulting for second opinion. An asymptomatic inguinal hernia was diagnosed 5 years ago during a routine clinical examination. The surgical indication was not retained by the surgeon seen in consultation at the time. The patient is always asymptomatic. You will find in the clinical examination a small inguinal hernia. What do you propose?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	41,3% 5,6% 26,5% 0,5% 13,8% 12,2%	Abstention: 57% Surgery: 43%
Case 6: A 60-year-old woman with no major medical-surgical history who was referred for the accidental discovery of an inguinal hernia during a clinical examination by her attending physician. The diagnosis is confirmed by an abdominal ultrasound. You also find a hernia tip. What do you propose?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	30,6% 9,2% 24% 3,1% 14,8% 18,4%	Abstention: 64% Surgery: 36%
Case 7: A 50-year-old patient is referred to you for bilateral inguinal hernia. He had consulted his treating physician for an embarrassing right inguinal swelling. An ultrasound was performed, confirms the hernia on the right side, and also found a contralateral hernia. At the clinical examination, you find the hernia on the right side, but you do not perceive hernia on the left. What do you propose regarding asymptomatic hernia?
. I do not retain any indication for operation or watchful waiting . I propose a half-yearly watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an annual watchful waiting and I operate in case of aggravation . I propose an open repair without prosthetic mesh . I propose an open repair with prosthetic mesh . I propose a laparoscopic repair	31,6% 5,1% 13,8% 1% 10,2% 38,3%	Abstention: 51% Surgery: 49%