Hernia Postop Follow-Up Protocol
| Surgery Type | 1st Follow-Up | Subsequent Follow-Up | Discharge from Clinic | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDLINE VENTRAL HERNIAS | ||||
| VHR, any approach (primary repair, iPOM/iPUM, rTAPP, onlay mesh) | <5 cm | 3-5 wks | None planned | Once pt has no concerns |
| >5 cm | 3-5 wks | 1 yr (HC) | Never | |
| VHR with retrorectus mesh (Rives Stoppa or eTEP) | 3-5 wks (HC) | 6 mo; 1 yr (HC) | Never | |
| VHR with component separation (TAR or ACS), any approach | 3-5 wks (HC) | 3 mo; 6 mo; 1 yr with noncon CT (HC) | Never | |
| OFF-MIDLINE HERNIAS (FLANK, FORMER OSTOMY SITE, SEMILUNAR LINE, SPIGELIAN, SUBCOSTAL) | ||||
| Any off-midline hernia, any approach | 3-5 wks (HC) | 6 mo; 1 yr with noncon CT (HC) | Never | |
| GROIN HERNIAS | ||||
| Any approach | 3-5 wks | Low recurrence risk: none; high risk: 3-6 mo (HC)2 | Once pt has no concerns | |
| HIATAL HERNIAS | ||||
| With or without fundoplication | 2 weeks (HC) | 6 wk (HC); 6 mo (HC) | Once pt has no concerns | |
Abbreviations: VHR = ventral hernia repair; iPOM/iPUM = intraperitoneal onlay/underlay mesh; rTAPP = robotic transabdominal preperitoneal repair; HC = hernia clinic; eTEP = extended totally extraperitoneal repair; TAR = transversus abdominis release; ACS = anterior component separation
- First follow-up completed sooner if drain(s)/staples in place.
- High recurrence risk determined by: hernia size (“giant” scrotal hernia), BMI >40, immunosuppression, cirrhosis, or attending determination.
REMINDERS:
Please make sure patients have the Ask Your Nurse hotline number in case they have concerns prior to scheduled follow-up.
Hernia clinic is on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month.