How often do inguinal hernias recur
Andrew Campbell
Published Apr 04, 2026
The recurrence rate for groin hernias is 1 to 3 percent, while it’s 5 to 10 percent for abdominal (ventral) hernias, and 10 to 15 percent for stoma hernias. For the most complex hernias, the recurrence rate is 10 to 20 percent, depending on the nature of the hernia and other factors.
How common is inguinal hernia recurrence?
Recurrence statistics The incidence of recurrent hernia after primary repair of a groin hernia varies from 1% in specialized centers to 30% in general surveys.
Why do I keep getting inguinal hernias?
Other inguinal hernias develop later in life when muscles weaken or deteriorate due to aging, strenuous physical activity or coughing that accompanies smoking. Weaknesses can also occur in the abdominal wall later in life, especially after an injury or abdominal surgery.
How do I know if my inguinal hernia has come back?
- A bulge at or near the site of the original hernia.
- Pain — which can range from a dull ache to severe pain — especially when coughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects.
- Bloating or constipation.
Is inguinal hernia repeat after surgery?
Recurrence after inguinal hernia surgery remains a clinical problem. The incidence of recurrence after inguinal hernia repair is difficult to estimate accurately since it varies with duration of follow-up, but may be as high as 15%.
Can you get a hernia in the same spot twice?
It is rare for an inguinal hernia to come back (1 to 3 percent chance, depending on the type of hernia and many other factors). Incisional hernias are more likely to return. When a hernia comes back after being repaired, this is called a recurrence.
Can a hernia be repaired twice?
Traditional hernia repairs that simply stitch the hernia closed and do not use mesh have the highest rate of recurrence. It is estimated that up to 30% of such repairs can recur. This is because the tissue around the suture can weaken over time and abdominal stress can eventually cause the tissue to tear.
How do you prevent a hernia from coming back?
- Quit smoking.
- Lose excess body weight.
- Use proper lifting techniques.
- Make healthy lifestyle choices, including getting regular exercise.
Does hernia mesh last forever?
After a hernia mesh repair, the non-absorbable product is supposed to remain in the body indefinitely. Absorbable mesh implants are specifically made from a degradable material that dissipates over time.
Is hernia mesh Safe 2021?The quick and easy answer is: not often. The standard of care in the US for more than 30 years has been to repair hernias with mesh. If mesh was dangerous, it would not be used in almost 99% of hernia repairs.
Article first time published onWhat aggravates a inguinal hernia?
About five out of every 100 children are born with the condition. An inguinal hernia can also develop over time if you increase pressure on the walls of your abdominal muscles through activities like straining to go to the bathroom, coughing over a long period, being overweight, or lifting heavy weights.
Is walking good for inguinal hernia?
If you’re experiencing pain with your hernia, you may notice that the more intense the workout is, the worse your symptom gets. This is why if you’re experiencing this, it’s best to stick with less-intense workouts such as walking and jogging (over running).
Why inguinal hernia is more common in males?
Although it can occur in men and women, it is much more common in men. This is because the male testicle starts inside the abdomen and has to go down through an opening in the groin area to reach the scrotum (the sac that holds the testicles). If this opening does not close at birth, a hernia develops.
When do most Hernias recur?
It is known that recurrence continues to occur after the follow-up period of 1–5 years usually used in most hernia studies (2). There are relatively few studies that have calculated the recurrence rates following inguinal and incisional hernia operations after a follow-up of 10 years (3–7).
What is recurrence rate of hernia?
Recurrence rates for primary hernia repair range from 0.5 to 15 percent depending upon the hernia site (direct, indirect, femoral), type of repair (mesh, no mesh, open, laparoscopic), and clinical circumstances (elective, emergency) [1-5].
How successful are inguinal hernias?
Surgical treatment is successful in the majority of cases [1]. The expected rate of recurrence following inguinal hernia repair is still 11% today [4]. Only 57% of all inguinal hernia recurrences occurred within 10 years after the previous hernia operation.
What causes recurrent hernias?
Causes of recurrent hernia Infection of wound from initial hernia surgery. Being too active too soon after surgery. Chronic use of steroids. Chronic acute cough.
Can hernia mesh come undone?
Some mesh have been known to be torn as soon as it came out of the package while others tear during the operation or later, after it has been implanted. When the ripping happens after surgery, that’s when the complications occur.
Can inguinal hernia repair cause erectile dysfunction?
Many patients ask us: “Can hernia surgery lead to sexual dysfunction?” The short answer is “No”. Since hernia surgery does not interfere with the blood vessels or nerves that are used for sexual function, there is little to no risk.
How do I know if I have a recurrent hernia?
A recurrent hernia may bulge at or near the site of the initial hernia and cause pain that ranges from a dull ache to severe pain. Pain may be more noticeable when engaging in certain activities or exercises such as lifting heavy objects, or even actions as small as coughing or sneezing.
Can hernias come go?
Hernia symptoms often vary from patient to patient. The most common complaints are pain/discomfort and a bulge or swelling at the site of the hernia. The bulge may be persistent or may go away. It may get bigger over time.
Can you get another hernia after mesh repair?
Yes, you can get another hernia after mesh repair, especially with a defective and/or recalled mesh .
Can hernia mesh cause problems years later?
Hernia mesh complications include adhesion, bowel obstruction or perforation, infection, rejection and migration. After hernia mesh surgery, patients have reported symptoms of pain, mesh failure and hernia recurrence. Hernia mesh problems can occur immediately after surgery or years later.
Why does hernia mesh fail?
In hernia mesh repair surgery, sometimes the body will reject the mesh because the body perceives the implant as an invasion and, thus, attacks it. The immune system’s attack on the foreign device may materialize as inflammation that can lead into infection and other complications, causing the mesh to fail.
How do I know if my hernia mesh failed?
- Pain: may be caused by scar-like tissue.
- Infection: fever, flu-like symptoms.
- Bowel obstruction: nausea, vomiting, and inability to pass gas or stools.
- Mesh migration or shrinkage: can lead to adhesions, bowel obstruction, or abscesses (a pocket of pus)
How can I prevent my inguinal hernia from getting worse?
- Avoid heavy lifting when you can. Lifting puts stress on the groin.
- When you must lift, don’t bend over. Lift objects by using the legs, not the back.
- Eat high-fiber foods and drink plenty of water. …
- Maintain a healthy body weight.
How do you get an inguinal hernia back in?
Most inguinal hernias can be pushed back into the belly with gentle massage and pressure. An inguinal hernia will not heal on its own. If you have symptoms, or the hernia is growing, you may need surgery. Some surgeons recommend repair of all groin hernias in women.
What foods should I avoid with an inguinal hernia?
Fatty Food – Saturated or trans fats food items such as red meat, processed food, high-fat dairy products, hydrogenated vegetable oil should be strictly avoided because these food items lead to inflammation and an increase in weight that possess the risk of increasing the problem of hernia.
What year was hernia mesh recall?
In December of 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued the first of several recalls for hernia mesh devices made in America and abroad. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began recalling defective hernia mesh products in 2005.
What is Herniorrhaphy?
A herniorrhaphy refers to the surgical repair of a hernia, in which a surgeon repairs the weakness in your abdominal wall.
Should I get mesh for hernia?
Q: Does hernia repair require mesh? A: Not necessarily, but usually. In the right patients, some groin hernias can be repaired without mesh and still have acceptable success rates. Additionally, some small hernias at the belly button can be repaired with suture alone.