Recurrences after inguinal herniotomy in children. Long time follow-up

Three hundred consecutive children all under 18 years of age were treated for inguinal hernia by herniotomy by the same surgeon from 1970-1985. Hernioplasty was not performed. Seven patients had a recurrent hernia, i.e., a cumulative recurrence rate of three per cent after a median follow-up of 12 years (range 5-19). Five of seven (71%) recurred within five years after the operation, while only two recurred from the 5th to the 15th year. Long term follow-up is necessary to assess incidence of recurrence after inguinal herniotomy in children.