[Inguinal hernia repair: time interval between surgical repair and recurrence]

This study seeks to evaluate the time interval between initial inguinal hernia repair and the appearance of recurrent hernia in patients undergoing re-operation. Recurrent hernia was identified in 94 (6.4%) of 1,474 patients having undergone initial hernia repair at our institution. Recurrence appeared within two years in 40 patients (42%). Recurrences were noted beyond five years in 32 patients (34%), and after 20 years in 18 patients (19%). 75% of recurrences had occurred within 15 years. We conclude that almost two-thirds of recurrences occur later than five years after the initial intervention and a quarter occur at an interval of more than fifteen years. Most studies underestimate hernia recurrence due to an insufficient period of post-operative observation.