Incidence of inguinal hernia recurrence. Effect of time off work after repair.

A survey of 260 adult male patients who had undergone inguinal hernia repair was carried out to see how long they stayed off work after operation. There was no evidence that a prolonged convalescent period reduced the subsequent hernia recurrence rate. Evidence from the North American literature suggests that patients can resume their usual physical activity without ill effect much sooner after operation than is the current practice in the United Kingdom. General practitioners should be informed of the advice that has been given to their patients about the resumption of physical activities after operation.