Groin hernia

1 1. The recurrence rate for primary inguinal hernia operated on in this series was 12·2 per cent. 2 2. The recurrence rate is higher for direct inguinal hernia (16 per cent) than for indirect (11 per cent). 3 3. Those cases operated on by less experienced surgeons had recurrence more frequently (17 per cent) than those operated on by senior surgeons (9 per cent). 4 4. The incidence of hernia occurring in the opposite side is high: 44 per cent in the case of direct hernia and 21 per cent in the case of indirect hernia. 5 5. The prospects of a second or third successful operation are good. Only 2 patients (less than 1 per cent) in this series remain uncured; they are well controlled by a truss. 6 6. The recurrence rate for femoral hernia is low. 7 7. There was no difference in the time off work between those cases that did or did not subsequently have a recurrence. 8 8. No relationship between recurrence rate and age was demonstrated.