Recurrent Inguinal Hernia (A Descriptive Study on Etiology & Management)

Background: Recurrent inguinal hernia constitutes a significant problem for the surgical community.  Incidence of recurrence and chronic groin pain after hernia repair require continuous audit, participation in a register and follow-up by selective physical examination provides a solid basis for quality control. Objective: Description of cases with recurrent inguinal hernia, type of previous repair, factors contributed to recurrence of hernia and type of repair used with the study of post-operative complications in the early postoperative period. Patients and Methods: Descriptive studies on patients with recurrent inguinal hernia were evaluated and data collected. History; age, occupation, time of previous operation, predisposed factors extracted from the previous operation and change of lifestyle. General examination; the presence of predisposing factors, comorbid factors, obesity. Local examination: to describe the type of hernia. Local examination: to describe the type of hernia. Results: In our study 18(40%) patients had an indirect recurrent hernia, 24 patients with recurrent direct inguinal hernia, and 3 patients presented with pantaloon hernia. Males constitute 93.33% of cases. Smoking and chronic cough were the most common predisposing factors. The right side constitutes 80% of cases and the other 20% on the left side. The interval between the previous operation and clinical presentation of recurrence is the highest number presented after 2-5 years. Conclusion: Mesh repair was superior to other types of repair (less no. of patients with previous mesh repair and less post-operative complications).