Protocol for the AFTERHERNIA Project: patient-reported outcomes of groin and ventral hernia repair

Purpose
The AFTERHERNIA Project aims to shift the focus of hernia surgery towards patient-reported outcomes by examining the impact of surgical methods and long-term complications on a national level. Groin and ventral hernia repairs are common surgical procedures with significant impact on patient quality of life and healthcare costs. Most large-scale studies focus on clinical outcomes like reoperation and readmission rates, rather than patient-reported outcomes.

Methods
This nationwide survey involves Danish patients who have undergone groin or ventral hernia repair over a ten-year period. Patients will be identified in the Danish National Patient Registry, and they will receive either the Abdominal Hernia-Q or Groin Hernia-Q questionnaire to collect data on patient-reported outcomes. Data from the questionnaire will be linked with clinical and patient-related data from the Danish Hernia Database. The Danish National Patient Registry also contains information on long-term surgical complications. Thereby, it will be possible to link specific perioperative details with patient-reported outcomes and long-term surgical complications.

Conclusion
The AFTERHERNIA Project aims to redefine the understanding of hernia surgery outcomes by emphasizing patient-reported outcomes on a nationwide basis. By capturing a broad spectrum of patient experiences and outcomes, the project expects to inform and possibly transform clinical guidelines and patient care practices.