Patient initiated follow-up for incisional hernia repair

Objectives: This study detailed the outcomes of operatively managed incisional hernia and evaluated the feasibility of patient-initiated follow-up. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 71 adult patients (patients) who underwent elective incisional hernia repair from 2021 to 2024 at a tertiary center. Seventy-one adult patients who underwent elective incisional hernia repair and attended follow-up were included in the study. The cohort comprised 45 females (63.4%) and 26 males (36.6%), with a median age of 57 years (range 31–78). The type of hernia repair, postoperative complications, emergency department (ED) visits post-discharge, and outcomes from the first outpatient review were studied. The need for changes in management during follow-up was assessed. Results: Out of 77 patients, 71 patients were included after exclusion of those who had in-hospital complications. Of these, 54 had ventral hernias, nine had post-nephrectomy, four had parastomal, and four combined ventral and parastomal hernias. Only 7 patients (9.9%) required changes in management during the first outpatient clinic appointment ( P < 0.05) with median (interquartile range) waiting time of 8(5) weeks. Nine patients (12.7%) visited the ED before their scheduled clinic appointment for pain, seroma, hematoma, or wound complications. Conclusion: The low rate of management changes and limited ED visits suggested that patient patient-initiated follow-up model could safely replace routine follow-up appointments for post-incisional hernia repair. This transition could optimize outpatient services, reduce wait times, and potentially offer cost savings for both healthcare and patients. By minimizing routine appointments, healthcare resources can be allocated more efficiently, enhancing patient care and reducing overall healthcare expenditures.