Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 11, 2026
Application of a New Mesh Fixation Method in Laparoscopic Incisional Hernia Repair
Published on: December 23, 2022
Hernia recurrence following inguinal hernia repair in children
Kathryn Taylor1, Kristin A Sonderman2, Lindsey L Wolf2
1Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
Insights
Recurrence after pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR) occurs in 1.4% of cases, primarily within one year. Infants under 1 year and children with comorbidities face higher recurrence risks.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Surgical Outcomes
- Hernia Repair
Background:
- Inguinal hernia repair (IHR) is a common pediatric surgical procedure.
- Understanding recurrence patterns is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence, timing, and predictors of recurrence after pediatric inguinal hernia repair (IHR).
Main Methods:
- Analysis of the TRICARE claims database (>3 million child dependents).
- Included children <12 years undergoing IHR between 2005-2014.
- Recurrence identified via ICD9-CM codes; incidence and predictors analyzed.
Main Results:
- 137 recurrences (1.4%) observed in 9,993 children; incidence rate of 3.46 per 1000 person-years.
- Most recurrences (60%) occurred in infants ≤1 year old at the time of repair.
- Children ≤1 year (OR 2.53) and those with multiple comorbidities (OR 5.45) had significantly higher odds of recurrence.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of recurrence following pediatric IHR is low but significant.
- Infants and children with comorbidities are at increased risk for recurrence.
- Early recurrence is common, with most events occurring within the first year post-repair.
Purpose:
We aimed to describe the incidence, timing, and predictors of recurrence following inguinal hernia repair (IHR) in children.
Methods:
We used the TRICARE claims database, a national cohort of >3 million child dependents of members of the U.S. Armed Forces. We abstracted data on children <12y who underwent IHR (2005-2014). Our primary outcome was recurrence (ICD9-CM diagnosis codes). We calculated incidence rates for the population and stratified by age, time from repair to recurrence, and multivariable logistic regression to determine predictors.
Results:
Nine thousand nine hundred ninety-three children met inclusion criteria. Age at time of IHR was ≤1y in 37%, 2-3y in 23%, 4-5y in 16%, and 5-12y in 24%. Median follow-up time was 3.5y (IQR:1.6-6.1). 137 patients recurred (1.4%), with an incidence of 3.46 per 1000 person-years. Over half occurred in children 0-1y at repair (60%). The majority occurred within a year following repair (median 209 days [IQR:79-486]). Children 0-1y had 2.53 times greater odds of recurrence (compared to >5y). Children with multiple comorbidities had 5.45 times greater odds compared to those with no comorbidities.
Conclusions:
The incidence of recurrence following IHR is 3.46 per 1000 person-years. The majority occurred within a year of repair. Children ≤1y and those with multiple comorbidities were at increased risk.
Level Of Evidence:
Prognosis Study, Level II.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Mismatch Repair
01:20Mismatch Repair
The Mutator Protein Family Plays a Key Role in DNA Mismatch Repair
The human genome has more than 3 billion base pairs of DNA per cell. Prior to cell division, that vast amount of genetic...
02:25Overview of DNA Repair
Chemically...
01:54Base Excision Repair
The first step of...
01:08Nucleotide Excision Repair
01:38Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...