Herniorrhaphy. A personal experience with 6,321 cases.

The results of 6,321 consecutive herniorrhaphies have been reported. Over 20 percent of the cases were referred recurrences when first seen. Ninety-one percent of the patients were followed from 2 to 14 years, with an overall recurrence rate of 0.7 percent. A low recurrence rate was not unfavorably affected by the prompt resumption of activity postoperatively. Some recurrences are unavoidable; however, it is essential to accept the dictum that all hernias can be cured.