Dear Surgeon Colleague:

You are being invited to participate in a brief 9-question survey of the Handling of the Round Ligament.

As you may be aware, inguinal hernia repair among women is poorly studied, as inguinal hernias are considered a male disease. For women, transection of the round ligament may result in improved inguinal hernia repair. However, some surgeons are hesitant to cut the round ligament for fear of its adverse effects.

We appreciate your answers to a few simple questions to help us study your understanding and management of the round ligament. Taking part in this research study is voluntary. This survey is approved by the Cedars-Sinai IRB.

If you have any questions or comments that you would like to direct to me, please contact me directly drtowfigh@beverlyhillsherniacenter.com.

You might have feedback, questions, problems, concerns or want to obtain more information about this study. If so, you can talk with someone who is not part of this study by contacting:
Cedars-Sinai Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)
Phone: 310-423-3783
Email: ResearchConcerns@cshs.org
Website: cedars-sinai.org/research/administration/office-of-researchcompliance/review-board.html 

The Cedars-Sinai HRPP protects the rights and welfare of research participants.

Sincerely, Shirin Towfigh, MD, FACS

Question Title

* 1. Handling of the round ligament bilaterally

  Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree
Transection of both round ligaments have negative consequences.
Transection of both round ligaments promotes pelvic pain.
Transection of both round ligaments promotes uterine prolapse.
Transection of both round ligaments promotes uterine retroversion.
Transection of both round ligaments would affect future pregnancies.
Both round ligaments should be electively transected if it can result in a better inguinal hernia repair.

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* 2. Handling of the round ligament unilaterally

  Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Neutral Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree
Transection of one round ligament has negative consequences.
Transection of one round ligament promotes pelvic pain.
Transection of one round ligament promotes uterine prolapse.
Transection of one round ligament promotes uterine retroversion.
Transection of one round ligament would affect future pregnancies.
One round ligament should be electively transected if it can result in a better inguinal hernia repair.

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* 3. What is your specialty?

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* 4. How long have you been in practice?  

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* 5. Have you ever transected the round ligament?

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* 6. Have you ever seen a patient who had a complication or adverse outcome after transection of the round ligament?

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* 7. Please select the gender you best identify with:

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* 8. Thank you for completing this survey. Please share any other comments you have below:

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* 9. If you would like to hear back with the results from this study, please provide your email below: 

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