Recurrent hiatal hernia repair: A potential surgical dilemma.

We studied 96 patients who underwent hiatal hernia repair; 17 of these patients had secondary repair. Nor mortality existed for elective first-time repairs. whereas there was a 17.6% mortality and a 46% morbidity in secondary repairs. No clear differences were noted with the type of repair used. Thirty-five percent of those having a recurrent hiatal hernia repair later had another recurrence. Reoperation for recurrent reflux esophagitis is more of a risk than is often thought. This information should be heavily weighed during preoperative decision making.