Inguinal Hernia: A Handicapping Condition?

Abstract

To Editor.— The remarks by T. Forrest Fisher, MD (1982;247:1407) concerning inguinal hernias and employability deserve comment. He wrote that the decision on waiving restrictions for employee or applicant for employment with a definite inguinal hernia and a moderate-sized defect rests with examining physician, who should be guided by company guidelines. It has been my experience with more than 2,000 inguinal hernia operations that patient may have a small to moderate-sized hernia on opposite side that is not symptomatic and does not require surgery. Since my postoperative follow-up is for ten years, I have had opportunity to observe clinical course of side that was not operated on. Many of these hernias remain stationary in size and continue asymptomatic, despite fact that patient may be engaged in heavy manual labor. It would seem desirable for Occupational Medical Practice Committee