[Outpatient treatment for hernia surgery in Germany]

Outpatient surgery in the treatment of hernia is currently a major challenge for patients and treating physicians in Germany due to the new legal regulations (key term hybrid diagnosis-related groups, DRG). Despite large economic challenges and empty funds, the principle of medical treatment is still the patient-oriented scientifically founded medicine. Although outpatient treatment would be very desirable, clear medical knowledge should the basis for the justification of surgical strategies: outpatient short hospitalization (24h) or fully inpatient hospitalization (>24h). A completely outpatient treatment of hernias is not meaningful and the demarcation of outpatient, short inpatient and inpatient treatment should be demonstrated in a risk-adjusted manner. A classification is essential, particularly against the background of an intersectoral hybrid DRG.