Management and outcomes in acute symptomatic hernias: a retrospective cohort study and review of cross-over to surgery

PURPOSE: Hernias are a frequent cause of acute surgical admission, yet optimal management remains uncertain. Watchful waiting (WW) and waiting-list delays may increase symptom recurrence and surgical crossover, creating uncertainty about when timely elective repair is indicated. This study evaluates acute hernia presentations and how different management pathways may influence outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 105 patients presenting with symptomatic hernias to the University Hospitals of Leicester from period of September 2024 to January 2025 with patient follow-up in September 2025. Outcomes analysed included length of hospital stay, complications, surgical crossover rates, and re-presentations. RESULTS: A total of 105 patients met the inclusion criteria. 51(49%) patients were conservatively managed with WW, and 43(41%) listed for elective repair, and 11(10%) underwent emergency surgery at presentation. WW patients had higher re-presentation rates (35.3 vs. 14%, p = 0.0172) and surgical crossover rates (33.3 vs. 2.3%, p < 0.001) relative to those awaiting elective surgery. In the WW cohort, crossover occurred in 50% of inguinal hernias (9.1% to emergency; 40.9% to elective) and approximately 20.7% of ventral hernias (10.3% to emergency; 10.3% to elective). Emergency hernia repair was associated with increased length of stay compared to elective repair for both ventral (median 4 vs. 0.5 days, p = 0.0079) and inguinal hernias (median 1.5 vs. 0 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Observed surgical crossover and re-presentation among patients managed with watchful waiting may indicate the importance of identifying patients who are less suitable for prolonged non-operative management. Structured follow-up and reassessment may improve watchful waiting pathways and support shared decision-making regarding the appropriateness of surgical repair. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.