Early return to work after repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia

Ninety-seven Royal Naval and Royal Marine officers and ratings undergoing repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized postoperatively into two groups: A, those who returned to full working duties 21 days after operation; B, those who returned to light duties 21 days after operation and to full duties at 3 months. Patients were reviewed at 3 and 12 months. One patient was withdrawn because of the development of late sepsis. Two patients in group B developed a recurrence of hernia within 1 year. No patient who returned to full duties at 21 days was unable to do any duty assigned to him. In a concurrent trial 119 male civilian patients were treated in the same hospital under identical conditions. All patients were reviewed 21 days after operation and were randomized into two groups: C, those advised to return to work immediately; D, those given no advice. Patients in group C returned to work in a mean of 38 days (range 14-96 days), whereas those in group D returned in a mean of 71 days (range 14-280 days). There was no recurrence of hernia in either group within the review period. It is concluded that there is no contraindication to resuming physical work 3 weeks after the uncomplicated repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia, and that active encouragement shortens the interval before return to work.