Direct inguinal herniorrhaphy. A long-term follow-up study.

The cumulated recurrence rates following repair of 365 primary medial inguinal hernias in 297 patients were 13% after 5 years of observation, 19% after 10 years and 23% after 15 years (median observation times). Re-recurrence after repeat herniorrhaphy occurred in 45% of patients over a 10-year period. A more restrictive approach to surgery of direct inguinal hernia is advocated, especially to repair of recurrent hernia.