Is routine hospital visit after day case inguinal hernia surgery in children necessary?

Background: To observe the prospects of day case inguinal hernia surgery in children without routine postoperative hospital visits. The aim was to access the advantages, acceptability and safety of this change in practice in low resource country like Nepal.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care general teaching hospital. Thirty children aged 6 months to 14 years who had elective day case Inguinal Hernia surgery from May 2011 to Oct 2011 were prospectively observed. Children with obstructed hernia, un-descended testis were excluded. Parents were counseled for omission of routine hospital visit after surgery. Main outcome measures were to observe unplanned hospital visit, reasons for visit, post-operative pain, wound infection and overall satisfaction of parents interviewed by telephone. Study was approved by institutional review committee.

Results: There were 28 boys and two girls. Average age was five years. Right Inguinal Hernia patients were 19 in number while 11 patients had left sided hernia. None of the children visited health facility for pain or wound problem. Two children were brought to outpatient because they were mistakenly given appointment slip. Mother noticed recurrence and brought one child to surgical outpatient. All 30 parents responded to telephone enquiry and were satisfied.

Conclusions: Routine follow up visit after day care Inguinal Hernia surgery in children is not necessary. This practice is safe, economic and well accepted by children and parents.