To examine whether patient sex influences postoperative outcomes and patient-reported quality of life following elective ventral hernia repair.
Approach:
Data Source: Utilized the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative (ACHQC) registry for a retrospective cohort analysis.
Patient Selection: Included adults (≥ 18 years) undergoing elective ventral hernia repair from January 2012 to December 2023.
Study Variables: Assessed preoperative, hernia-specific, operative, and postoperative variables, including demographics, health status, and complications.
Outcomes of Interest: Primary outcomes included postoperative complications; secondary outcomes focused on patient-reported quality of life and pain.
Statistical Analysis: Compared sociodemographic, clinical, and outcome variables by sex using various statistical tests and regression models.
Key Findings:
Female patients experienced higher rates of postoperative complications compared to male patients.
Despite higher complication rates, female patients reported enhanced quality of life post-surgery.
Quality of life was assessed using the Hernia-Related Quality-of-Life Survey (HerQLes) and pain was measured using the PROMIS pain scale.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the need to consider sex-related differences in postoperative outcomes and quality of life in ventral hernia repair.
Limitations:
The study is retrospective and may be subject to selection bias.
Data were sourced from a single registry, which may limit generalizability.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that while female patients face higher complication rates, they report better quality of life outcomes after elective ventral hernia repair.
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