Risk of recurrence 5 years or more after primary Lichtenstein mesh and sutured inguinal hernia repair

Background: The risk of recurrence of inguinal hernia within 5 years of repair is lower after mesh than sutured repair in men, but no large-scale studies have compared the risk of recurrence beyond 5 years.

Methods: The Danish Hernia Database prospectively collects data on almost all primary inguinal hernia repairs in men (older than 18 years). This study used data recorded over 8 years, analysing reoperations for recurrent hernia in the intervals 0-30 months, 30-60 months and 60-96 months after operation.

Results: The reoperation rate was significantly lower after Lichtenstein open mesh repairs than open sutured repairs (Cox hazard ratio (HR) 0.45 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 0.39 to 0.51) for 0-30 months after surgery; HR 0.38 (95 per cent c.i. 0.29 to 0.49) for 30-60 months). In 13 674 primary inguinal hernia repairs with an observation interval of 5 years or more, the risk of reoperation after Lichtenstein repair was a quarter of that after sutured repair (HR 0.25 (95 per cent c.i. 0.16 to 0.40) for 60-96 months after surgery). After 5 years, the reoperation rate increased continuously after sutured repair but not after mesh repair.

Conclusion: Lichtenstein mesh repair for inguinal hernia prevented recurrence beyond 5 years after the primary operation, but sutured repair did not.