Operative management of non-elective incisional hernia reduces readmission in a national database

Purpose The aim of this project was to compare patient characteristics, overall efficacy, and readmission events following operative vs non-operative management modalities of non-elective patients presenting with symptomatic incisional hernias. Methods This study is a retrospective study of patients and patient demographics that presented as non-elective hospitalizations with symptomatic incisional hernia. Analysis of patients and characteristics utilized the National Readmission Database from 2010 to Q3 of 2015, delineating patient factors and outcomes following operative or non-operative management of hernias. Results A total of 14,137 patients met inclusion criteria for our study. The majority of patients were treated operatively rather than non-operatively (79 vs. 21%) on their non-elective admission for incisional hernia. Those undergoing surgical management were younger (56 vs 61 years, p