Smoking is a risk factor for recurrence of groin hernia.

Studies of connective tissue from patients with inguinal hernia have shown that smoking may be associated with hernia formation due to a defective connective tissue metabolism. Whether smoking is a risk factor for recurrence, too, was examined in this study. From December 1990 through December 1995, 649 patients underwent hernia repair as open sutured repair (Cooper ligament or abdominal ring repair) or as open mesh repair. Five hundred forty-four eligible patients were evaluated for recurrence 2 years postoperatively. Association between recurrence and 17 patient-, disease-, and intraoperative variables were analyzed by multiple logistic regression. The results showed that smoking was significantly and independently associated with recurrence compared to nonsmoking [odds ratio (OR = 2.22; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.19-4.15)]. Open sutured repair compared to open mesh repair was the most significant predictor for recurrence (OR = 7.23; 95% CI = 3.01-17.37). Surprisingly, local anesthesia was associated with a higher risk of recurrence compared to general anesthesia (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.19-5.09). Potential confounders and other risk factors for hernia recurrence such as age, alcohol consumption, previous surgery, and anatomical characteristics of the hernia were adjusted for in the analysis. In conclusion, smoking is an important risk factor for recurrence of groin hernia, presumably due to an abnormal connective tissue metabolism in smokers.