High recurrence rate 12 years after primary inguinal hernia repair.

Abstract

To find out the long term recurrence rate after repair of the inguinal ligament (Griffith) for inguinal hernia in one hospital. Retrospective study. Teaching hospital, The Netherlands. All patients who had had a Griffith repair for a primary inguinal hernia in 1985 were re-examined after at least 12 years by an independent examiner. Of the 102 patients included in the study, 45 patients had died and 17 could not be traced. Of the remaining 40 patients (45 hernias), 10 (22%) had developed recurrences. In 4 patients the asymptomatic hernia was discovered by the investigator. 11 further patients had developed a hernia on the opposite site resulting in a total of 16 patients (40%) with bilateral hernias. The long term recurrence rate of an inguinal hernia by reconstruction of the inguinal ligament is high and even higher when assessed by physical examination. The high recurrence rate and frequent bilateral recurrence might favour repairs with mesh reinforcement.