Readmissions at 30 days after inguinal hernia repair: A series of 5126 patients

Introduction: The evaluation of the re-admission rate within 30 days of inguinal hernia repair represents a patient management quality indicator. The goal of our study was to evaluate the re-admission rate at 30 days after inguinal hernia repair and identify the risk factors for re-admission.

Methods: Based on a prospective national registry, patient data were collected during two years. The number of and reasons for re-admissions were compiled.

Results: A total of 5126 patients, mean age 61 years, underwent inguinal hernia repair. Ambulatory surgery was performed in 4013 (78%) patients. Failed ambulatory surgery was recorded for 100 (2%) patients. Thirty-three (0.64%) patients were re-admitted within 30 days following surgery for 34 various reasons. The re-admission rate after ambulatory surgery was 0.5%. Half of patients re-admitted presented with a severe complication that required re-intervention. In multivariable analysis, emergency hernia repair (OR 4.899 [1.309-18.327]; P=0.01) and prolonged duration of operation (OR 1.023 [1.009-1.037]; P=0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for re-admission within 30 days after surgery.

Conclusion: Within this prospective national cohort, the overall re-admission rate after inguinal hernia repair was 0.64%, slightly less among the patients undergoing ambulatory surgery. Half of re-admitted patients required surgical re-operation. Emergency hernia repair and prolonged duration of operation were risk factors for re-admission.