Outcome of inguinal hernia surgery

A consecutive series of 584 patients, operated for 635 groin hernias, was clinically evaluated at a median of 6 years after surgery. The cumulative recurrence rate was 16%, established by clinical examination and in uncertain cases with herniography; for primary hernias 14.6% and for recurrent hernias 20.7%. The recurrence rate for indirect hernias was 12.9% and for direct hernias 25%. The direct type of hernia was more frequent among recurrent hernias than among primary hernias (p less than 0.005), indicating that they were overlooked at or caused by the primary operation. The recurrences were noted by the patients themselves in 71% but only 58% had taken the initiative towards another repair. Considering the great number of hernia operations performed and the presented poor long-term results, the need for more research and interest focused on hernia surgery is indicated.