Utilizing Telehealth to optimize long term surveillance following ventral hernia repair

Ventral hernias remain a challenging surgical condition with long-term complications and recurrences. This study evaluates whether standardized telemedicine-based follow-up improves long-term surveillance following ventral hernia repaiI METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared telemedicine-based surveillance with traditional in-person follow-up for patients undergoing ventral hernia repair at a tertiary hernia center. Follow-up adherence at 6-, 12-, and 24-months were the primary outcomes of interest.

Telemedicine-based surveillance significantly improved follow-up adherence; 79 ​% vs. 44 ​% at 6 months, 69 ​% vs 42 ​% at 12 months, and 44 ​% vs 14 ​% at 24 months. There was no significant difference in recurrence rates, but telemedicine helped identify patient concerns (24 ​%) early, leading to select additional interventions such as cross-sectional imaging or supplemental in-person evaluation (10 ​% CONCLUSIONS: Telemedicine improves follow-up adherence and early detection of complications after ventral hernia repair. It offers an affordable solution for long-term patient care, though further research is needed to optimize protocols.