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ObjectivesThe effects of using an abdominal binder after abdominal surgery on the development of incisional hernias in the long term are far from certain. This study aims to analyse the effects of abdominal binder use on the development of incisional hernia in the long term.MethodsThe population of this prospective cohort study included 84 patients, who underwent abdominal surgery and were evaluated for the effects of abdominal binder use between September 2013 and April 2014. The study sample comprised 57 patients (30 used an abdominal binder and 27 did not use one), who took part in the first research and agreed to participate. We conducted a telephone survey with the participants in September 2017 and asked them to answer the questions on the symptoms of and the risk factors associated with incisional hernia.ResultsComparison of the two groups in terms of patient, surgical and treatment characteristics revealed no statistically significant difference (P > .05). Incisional hernia occurred in eight patients who used an abdominal binder and in five patients who did not use one. There was no statistically significant relationship between abdominal binder use and the development of incisional hernia 3 years after the abdominal surgery (P > .05).ConclusionsThis study found that abdominal binder use after abdominal surgery had no effects on the development of incisional hernia in the long term. Data on abdominal binder use were self‐reported by the patients. Better designed cohort studies on larger populations may be conducted in the future.