The State of Patient Satisfaction after Hernioplasty on an Ambulatory Basis

Lee, Taek Gu; Park, Jun Seok; Lee, Sang Il; Choi, Yoo Shin; Park, Do Joong; Han, Ho Seong; Kim, Hyung Ho; Yoon, Yoo Seok; Kang, Sung Bum

Abstract

PURPOSE: There have been no studies employing a specific questionnaire relating to patient satisfaction following ambulatory hernioplasty. Via the production of a novel specific questionnaire, attempts were made to determine the factors associated with patient satisfaction following hernioplasty on an ambulatory basis.
METHODS
Patient satisfaction was evaluated via cross-sectional telephone surveys administered 10.5 (range of 2~23) months after their operations, consisting of six questions, regarding; anesthetic technique, surgical method, necessity for admission, necessity for follow-up, intraoperative pain, and postoperative pain. Each of the questions was then scored using a 4-point scoring system, with global satisfaction determined via the addition of each score. Factors related to global satisfaction were determined among preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors.
RESULTS
Telephone questionnaire interviews were conducted on all 131 consecutive patients. Four respondents (3.1%) expressed dissatisfaction with the ambulatory surgery. Twelve (9.2%) had been admitted overnight after the operation. Thirteen (9.9%) required analgesics for over 3 days. No patients required a re-operation, although 20 (15.3%) experienced minor postoperative complications. Significant factors for global dissatisfaction were analgesic requirement for over 3 days and the presence of surgical complication (P value <0.05). Time until return to work and required overnight admission were important factors for patient satisfaction, but these were not significant.
CONCLUSION
Patient satisfaction was associated with postoperative pain and surgical complications. Therefore, a more appropriate method for pain control and prevention of minor surgical complication are suggested might serve to enhance patient satisfaction after hernioplasty on an ambulatory basis.