Unplanned rehospitalizations after abdominal wall surgery: Update according to a review of the literature

Abstract

Unplanned readmission (UR) is defined as an unforeseen readmission of a patient within 30days of discharge to the same facility for a reason other than mental health, chemotherapy or dialysis. In the literature, UR rates after groin hernia repair range from 2.7 to 5.1% after open or laparoscopic primary ventral hernia repair, and 12% after complex incisional hernia repair. Postoperative complications are the major cause of UR, irrespective of the type of parietal surgery. Risk factors for UR include diabetes, smoking, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obesity, therapeutic anticoagulation, ASA score≥3, long duration or emergency surgery, and low socioeconomic status. Anticipating and managing these risk factors can help limit UR.

Keywords: Abdominal wall surgery; Hernia; Incisional hernia repair complication; Unplanned readmission.