Bilateral hernias in the female.

An experience with 216 bilateral hernias in female patients is reviewed. The condition is rare, occurring only once in every 250 patients admitted for a hernia repair. Bilateral primary indirect inguinal hernias were the most frequent type. Bilateral primary femoral hernias were quite rare while bilateral primary direct inguinal hernias were even more uncommon. Other rare bilateral combinations are briefly described. The incidence in children is given.Etiological factors are discussed, emphasizing the strong posterior wall of the inguinal canal in females.Two per cent of patients developed a recurrent hernia; one per cent of hernias recurred. No recurrence following a bilateral primary indirect inguinal hernia repair and no "femoral" recurrence following inguinal repair were recorded.