What is a recurrent hernia?

In this video FAQ about hernia surgery, Dr. Nora Fullington answers the question - What is a recurrent hernia?

Every surgery has risks and one risk of hernia surgery is recurrence - a hernia can come back after surgery. Hernia recurrence can present as a bulge or pain in the area of previous hernia repair. The risk of recurrence varies depending on several patient-specific factors like medical and surgical history, obesity and smoking history and on the type of hernia repair a patient has. Mesh inguinal hernia repairs can have a recurrence rate as low as 1% while stitches-only/tissue hernia repair recurrence rates are around 2-3%. Umbilical or ventral hernia repair recurrence rates are as low as 5-10%. Incisional hernias recur at much higher rates than this depending on the surgical history.
Every patient is different. If you have a new bulge and are considering repair, it is important to understand the risks. Also, if you have had a hernia repair and think you may have recurrence evaluation and guidance by a hernia specialist is important.

Dr. Nora Fullington is a hernia surgeon, hernia specialist, and abdominal core health specialist at Boston Hernia.