The Abdominal Hernia Questionnaire (AHQ) is a validated patient-reported outcome measure developed specifically to assess the impact of abdominal wall and inguinal hernia surgery on patients’ daily lives. It captures the patient’s experience of pain, physical function and quality of life both, before and after hernia repair.
By incorporating the AHQ into SurgicalPerformance, surgeons can track outcomes from the patient’s perspective and evaluate the effectiveness of surgical techniques in a structured, evidence-based way.
Who it applies to: The AHQ is relevant for surgeons performing abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repairs.
How the Survey Works
Survey structure: The AHQ contains questions across several domains, including:
Pain and discomfort related to the hernia site
Activity limitations and daily function
Cosmetic and body image concerns
Overall quality of life after surgery
Scoring approach:
Patient responses are recorded using Likert scales that reflect severity or frequency of symptoms.
Scores are aggregated within each domain to generate a profile of postoperative outcomes.
Higher scores typically indicate greater symptom severity or functional limitation.
Interpretation: Results allow surgeons to objectively evaluate patient recovery and compare pre- and post-operative impact.
Survey Timing in SurgicalPerformance
When is the questionnaire sent: The AHQ is delivered in two key phases:
Pre-op: The Pre-op survey will be sent within 24 hours of you adding your patient's case into SurgicalPerformance.
Post-op: The Post-op surveys are sent at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months and 18 months.
How patients receive it: Patients receive an SMS with a secure survey link.
Completion details: The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete on a smartphone or web-enabled device.
Benefits for Surgeons and Patients
For surgeons:
Provides structured, validated feedback on hernia repair outcomes.
Identifies recurring issues such as persistent pain, restricted activity or dissatisfaction with surgical outcomes.
Allows surgeons to reflect on surgical techniques based on patient feedback, identifying areas for change or different surgical approaches required.
Contributes to surgical audit, CPD and quality improvement.
For patients:
Offers patients a voice in reporting recovery, comfort and daily function.
Reinforces that their experience is being closely monitored as part of their care.
Allows their surgeon to have a more in depth understanding of their post-op journey before their follow up appointment.
References & Validation
The AHQ was developed and validated as a robust tool for assessing patient outcomes following hernia surgery.
Parker SG, Halligan S, Blackburn S, et al. Development and validation of a patient-reported outcome measure for abdominal wall hernia repair: the Abdominal Hernia Questionnaire (AHQ). Hernia. 2020;24(3):521–533.
Additional studies confirm its reliability and responsiveness in evaluating hernia surgery outcomes.
Using the AHQ in SurgicalPerformance
Enabling the survey: When entering a hernia repair case, select AHQ as the PROMS survey.
Viewing results: Results are displayed in your dashboard and linked to the patient’s case, allowing you to track outcomes across time.
Integration: Combine AHQ results with PROMIS or Patient Satisfaction surveys for a broader understanding of patient recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can patients use the AHQ instead of attending follow-up?
No. The AHQ complements, but does not replace, scheduled clinical follow-ups.
What if a patient does not complete the survey?
You may follow up with the patient directly, but their clinical care is not dependent on the survey.
Can I assign the AHQ selectively?
Yes. You can choose to apply it only to relevant hernia surgery cases.
Is patient data secure?
Yes. All responses are encrypted, securely stored and visible only to you as the surgeon.
By incorporating the Abdominal Hernia Questionnaire (AHQ) into your SurgicalPerformance workflow, you gain a validated, patient-centred measure of hernia surgery outcomes; helping you deliver more informed care, improve surgical techniques and strengthen patient trust.
We are proud to acknowledge Professor John Fischer, Professor of Surgery (Plastic Surgery), Director of Clinical Research; University of Pennsylvania who is the developer behind the AHQ as a key driver behind the implementation of the AHQ within our PROMS.
Reference:
Patel V, et al: Prospective Assessment of the Abdominal Hernia-Q
(AHQ)—Patient Burden, Reliability, and Longitudinal Assessment of Quality of Life in Hernia Repair. Annals of Surgery 2022; 276 (6): 1039-46.