Long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial of non-mesh versus mesh repair of primary inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies and meta-analyses have indicated that non-mesh repair is inferior to mesh repair based on recurrence rates in inguinal hernia. The only reliable way to evaluate recurrence rates after hernia surgery is by long-term follow-up. METHODS: Between September 1993 and January 1996, a multicentre clinical trial was performed, in which 300 patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernia were randomized to non-mesh or mesh repair. Long-term follow-up was carried out from June 2005 to January 2006. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 128 months for non-mesh and 129 months for mesh repair. The 10-year cumulative hernia recurrence rates were 17 and 1 per cent respectively (P = 0.005). Half of the recurrences developed after 3 years' follow-up. There was no significant correlation between hernia recurrence and age, level of expertise of the surgeon, contralateral hernia, obesity, history of pulmonary disease, constipation or prostate disease. CONCLUSION: After 10 years mesh repair is still superior to non-mesh hernia repair. Recurrence rates may be underestimated as recurrences continue to develop for up to 10 years after surgery.     

Randomized clinical trial of mesh versus non-mesh primary inguinal hernia repair: long-term chronic pain at 10 years

BACKGROUND: Open mesh or non-mesh inguinal hernia repair may influence the incidence of chronic postoperative pain differently. METHODS: A total of 300 patients scheduled for repair of a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to non-mesh or mesh repair. The primary outcome measure was clinical outcome including persistent pain and discomfort interfering with daily activity. Long-term results at 3 years of follow-up have been published. Included here are 10-year follow-up results with respect to pain. RESULTS: Of the 300 patients, 87 patients (30%) died and 49 patients (17%) were lost to follow-up. A total of 153 were physically examined in the outpatient clinic after a median long-term follow-up of 129 months (range, 109 to 148 months). None of the patients in the non-mesh or mesh group suffered from persistent pain and discomfort interfering with daily activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our 10-year follow-up study provides evidence that mesh repair of inguinal hernia is equal to non-mesh repair with respect to long-term persistent pain and discomfort interfering with daily activity. An important new finding from the patient's perspective is that chronic postoperative pain seems to dissipate over time.     

老年腹股沟疝无张力修补术与传统修补术的比较

目的 比较无张力腹股沟疝修补术与传统腹股沟疝修补术在老年患者中应用的临床结果、术后生活质量和经济开支。方法 自2000～2001年60岁以上的老年患者42例行腹股沟疝无张力修补术与42例行传统腹股沟疝修补术者，分类比较。结果　无张力腹股沟疝修补术对于老年患者在复发率、术后镇痛、手术时间和术后下地时间方面均明显优于传统腹股沟疝修补术。结论　无张力腹股沟疝修补术运用在老年患者中，近远期效果均优于传统修补手术。     

Randomized clinical trial comparing 5-year recurrence rate after laparoscopic versus Shouldice repair of primary inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: The Shouldice technique is the 'gold standard' of open non-mesh hernia repair. The aim of this study was to compare 5-year recurrence rates after Shouldice and laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal patch (TAPP) repair for primary inguinal hernia. METHOD: Men with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to either Shouldice or TAPP operation. An independent observer scored the surgeons' performance. Follow-up comprised clinical examination after 1 year, a questionnaire after 2 and 3 years, and a clinical examination after 5 years. RESULTS: Between February 1993 and March 1996, 1183 patients were included. Nine hundred and twenty patients were followed for 5 years, 454 in the TAPP group and 466 in the Shouldice group. Recurrences were evenly distributed between groups throughout the follow-up period. The cumulative recurrence rate after 5 years was 6.6 per cent in the TAPP group and 6.7 per cent in the Shouldice group. Postoperative pain was a risk factor for recurrence after Shouldice operation but not after TAPP repair. There was a correlation between a low surgeon's performance score and recurrence. CONCLUSION: The 5-year recurrence rate is acceptable, with no difference between TAPP and Shouldice repair. Poor operative performance resulted in a higher recurrence rate. The TAPP operation represents an excellent alternative for primary inguinal hernia repair.     

Randomized clinical trial of Lichtenstein's operation versus mesh plug for inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Two of the most commonly used open prosthetic tension-free techniques for inguinal hernia repair are Lichtenstein's operation and the mesh plug repair. The technique of choice remains a subject of ongoing debate. The objective of the present investigation was to compare the two surgical procedures with respect to associated morbidity and recurrence rates. METHODS: Five hundred and ninety-five patients with 700 primary or recurrent inguinal hernias were randomized to undergo either Lichtenstein's operation or mesh plug repair. The primary endpoint of the investigation was the recurrence rate 1 year after surgery. Secondary endpoints were perioperative complications and reoperation rates. RESULTS: At 12-month follow-up, 597 hernia repairs (85.3 per cent) were evaluated. There were no significant differences regarding recurrence rates and perioperative complications. However, there was a significant difference in the overall reoperation rate between the two treatment groups, with 13 reoperations (4.2 per cent) in the Lichtenstein group and four (1.4 per cent) in the mesh plug group (P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Lichtenstein's operation and the mesh plug repair are comparable with respect to perioperative complications and recurrence rates.     

Open inguinal hernia repair in women: is mesh necessary?

Background There is little information available on recurrence rates following primary open inguinal hernia repair in women. Women are less prone to inguinal hernias than men; for the same reason, recurrences after hernia repair may also be lower so that the well-known advantage of using mesh could be lost on them. Method Women having primary open inguinal hernia repair under the care of one surgical team were identified from the unit database. Recurrences in those who had non-mesh repair were sought by a combination of a written questionnaire and clinical examination. Results Fifty-two women had a non-mesh inguinal hernia repair over a 12-year interval; 37 responded to a questionnaire. There were no major perioperative complications; one recurrence was diagnosed, giving an overall recurrence rate of 2.8% (95% confidence interval 8.2%). During the study interval 37 women had open mesh repair of an inguinal hernia. There were three major complications. Conclusions The routine use of mesh for open indirect inguinal hernia repair in women may not be necessary.     

Chronic pain after open mesh and sutured repair of indirect inguinal hernia in young males

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain is common after herniorrhaphy, but the effect of surgical technique (mesh versus non-mesh repair) and the social consequences of the pain have not been established. The aim of this study was to analyse chronic postherniorrhaphy pain and its social consequences in young males operated on for an indirect inguinal hernia with a Lichtenstein mesh repair, Shouldice or Marcy (annulorrhaphy) repair. METHODS: This was a postal questionnaire study carried out within the Danish and Swedish Hernia Database Collaboration. Some 2612 patients responded (response rate 80.9 per cent), of whom 1250 had undergone a Lichtenstein, 630 a Shouldice and 732 a Marcy repair. RESULTS: Chronic pain had been experienced within the previous month by 22.9 per cent of the patients who responded. There was an overall decrease in pain with time, from 29.7 per cent at 6-12 months to 18.1 per cent at 37-48 months after surgery, with no overall differences between the three types of repair. Pain was more common in patients younger than 40 years of age. Some 3.9 per cent of patients described the pain as moderate to severe and as frequent or constant. Of all patients with pain, 10.7 per cent experienced it as worse after than before surgery, and 56.6 per cent stated that it interfered with social activities. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain is common after primary inguinal hernia repair in young males, but there is no difference in the pain associated with open mesh and non-mesh repair.     

Randomized clinical trial of lightweight composite mesh for Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Almost half the patients who undergo hernia repair with mesh report a feeling of stiffness and a foreign body in the groin. This study evaluated whether patients noticed any difference between lightweight and standard polypropylene mesh for the repair of inguinal hernia. METHODS: Patients scheduled for elective repair of unilateral or bilateral, primary or recurrent inguinal hernia by the Lichtenstein technique were randomized to receive either a conventional densely woven polypropylene mesh (100-110 g/m(2)) or a lightweight composite multifilament mesh (polypropylene 27-30 g/m(2)). Quality of life was assessed using Short Form 36 before operation and 6 months after surgery. Pain was assessed by means of a visual analogue scale 2 days and 6 months after surgery. The primary outcome measure was the feeling of a foreign body in the groin at 6 months. RESULTS: Some 122 hernias were randomized; 117 were included in the analysis of perioperative data, and 106 were re-examined after 6 months. There were no differences between the treatment groups with respect to early and late surgical complications. Use of lightweight mesh was associated with significantly less pain on exercise after 6 months (P = 0.042). In addition, fewer patients reported the feeling of a foreign body after repair with lightweight mesh (17.2 versus 43.8 per cent with conventional mesh; P = 0.003). Quality of life was improved significantly at 6 months compared with the preoperative assessment, and there were no differences between the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Lightweight polypropylene mesh may be preferable for Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia. Larger cohorts with longer follow-up are needed before it can be recommended for routine use.     

Randomized clinical trial assessing impact of a lightweight or heavyweight mesh on chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic pain is a long-term problem that may occur after inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this randomized study was to compare pain of any severity at 12 months after inguinal hernia repair with a partially absorbable lightweight mesh (LW group) or with a non-absorbable heavyweight mesh (HW group). METHODS: Patients were assessed for pain at 1, 3 and 12 months by questionnaire, and were examined clinically at 12 months. RESULTS: Some 321 patients were included in an intention-to-treat analysis, 162 in the LW group and 159 in the HW group. At 12 months, significantly fewer patients in the LW group than in the HW group had pain of any severity: 39.5 versus 51.6 per cent (difference-12.1 (95 per cent confidence interval-23.1 to-1.0) per cent; P = 0.033). The recurrence rate was higher in the LW group (5.6 versus 0.4 per cent; P = 0.037). Five of eight recurrences in LW group were associated with a single participating centre. CONCLUSION: Use of lightweight mesh was associated with less chronic pain but an increase in hernia recurrence after inguinal hernia repair. The latter may be related to technical factors associated with fixation of such meshes rather than any inherent defect in the mesh.     

Prospective randomized trial of polypropylene mesh compared with nylon darn in inguinal hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The main aim of this study was to evaluate outcome in patients undergoing open inguinal hernia repair with either polypropylene mesh or nylon darn. METHODS: This was a randomized prospective trial of patients who underwent the procedure with follow-up at 1 week, 6 weeks and 1 year. RESULTS: One hundred men underwent 105 repairs by consultant surgeons and registrars; there were 54 mesh and 51 nylon repairs. Demographics in both groups were similar at the start of the trial, as were the types of hernia. The pain scores at 24, 48 and 72 h were similar, as was the duration of analgesia requirement. There were no differences in early or late complications. Return to normal activity in each group was also similar, with a mean time of 5 weeks. The recurrence rate in both groups was comparable: 4 per cent after mesh repair and 4 per cent after darn repair at 1-year review. CONCLUSION: Open inguinal hernia repair with a nylon darn was equivalent to polypropylene mesh with respect to early measures of postoperative outcome and recurrence at 1 year.     

Comparison between modern mesh and conventional non-mesh methods of inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: The objectives of the study were to compare the tension-free mesh repair with non-meash conventional repair of groin hernia. METHODS: In the past two years in 299 consecutive unselected patients 339 inguinal hernia repairs were carried out. They randomly allocated to undergo either a non-meash modified Bassini's repair (n=164) or a tension-free mesh repair (n=175). The latter group consisted of laparoscopic TAPP repair (n=46) and open onlay patch repair (n=64) or plug and patch repair (n=65). Operation time, postoperative pain and complications, hospital stay, return to work and recurrence were assessed. Statistical analysis was made using the "t"-Student test. RESULTS: The characteristics of the patients in each group and the operation time did not differ significantly. The planned procedure was completed in all and no death occurred. The analgesic requirements (none 2.5 vs 56.4%, opiods 77 vs 23.6%), complication rate (9.4 vs 4.3%), hospital stay (4.2 vs 1.8 days), return to work (17.2 vs 7.3 days) and recurrence rate (5.5 vs 1.2%) in non-mesh group were more than in the mesh group. All differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). Among the three subgroups of mesh group no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found. CONCLUSIONS: The tension-free mesh repair either open or laparoscopic provides excellent results with better short-term outcome and lower recurrence rate than non-mesh modified Bassini's repair.     

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.     

Randomized clinical trial comparing suture and mesh repair of umbilical hernia in adults

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic repair has become the standard method for inguinal hernia and has excellent results. The question remains of whether the mesh technique could also improve results for umbilical defects. METHODS: The study was a randomized clinical trial comparing herniorrhaphy (primary suture) with hernioplasty (polypropylene mesh or plug) in 200 adult patients with a primary umbilical hernia. Patients at high anaesthetic risk (American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade IV) or those who needed emergency surgery were excluded. The mean postoperative follow-up was 64 months. The population studied included 118 women and 82 men with a mean age at presentation of 57 years. Some 173 patients were ASA grade I-II and 27 were ASA III. The anaesthetic technique of choice was local anaesthetic infiltration plus sedation (98 per cent). RESULTS: There were no significant anaesthetic complications or surgical deaths. The mean duration of surgery was greater for mesh than for suture repair (45 versus 38 min). Rates of early complications such as seroma, haematoma or wound infection were similar in the two groups. The hernia recurrence rate was higher after suture repair (11 per cent) than after mesh repair (1 per cent) (P = 0.0015). CONCLUSION: Prosthetic repair could become the standard treatment for primary umbilical hernia in adults.     

Prospective nationwide analysis of laparoscopic versus Lichtenstein repair of inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: According to a Cochrane review, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair compares favourably with open mesh repair, but few data exist from surgical practice outside departments with a special interest in hernia surgery. This study compared nationwide reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair, adjusting for factors predisposing to recurrence. METHODS: Some 3606 consecutive laparoscopic repairs were compared with 39 537 Lichtenstein repairs that were prospectively recorded in a nationwide registry between 1998 and 2003. Patients were subgrouped according to type of hernia: primary or recurrent and unilateral or bilateral. Overall reoperation rates and 95 per cent confidence intervals were calculated. Long-term reoperation rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The overall reoperation rates after laparoscopic and Lichtenstein repair of unilateral primary indirect hernia (0 versus 1.0 per cent), primary direct hernia (1.1 versus 3.1 per cent), unilateral recurrent hernia (4.6 versus 4.8 per cent) and bilateral recurrent hernia (2.6 versus 7.6 per cent) did not differ. However, laparoscopic repair of a bilateral primary hernia was associated with a higher reoperation rate than Lichtenstein repair (4.8 versus 3.0 per cent) (P = 0.017). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair compared favourably with Lichtenstein repair for primary indirect and direct hernias, and unilateral and bilateral recurrent hernias, but was inferior for primary bilateral hernias.     

Re-recurrence after operation for recurrent inguinal hernia. A nationwide 8-year follow-up study on the role of type of repair

OBJECTIVES: We analyze, on a nationwide basis, the risk of re-reoperation with reference to previous inguinal hernia repair technique. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Operation for a recurrent inguinal hernia is common and the risk of re-recurrence is high. There are no large-scale data evaluating the surgical strategy and results after recurrent inguinal hernia repairs. METHODS: Prospective recording of all primary and subsequent recurrent inguinal hernia repairs from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2005, in the national Danish Hernia Database, using the reoperation rate as a proxy for recurrence. The re-reoperation rate was analyzed with reference to the technique of primary and recurrent inguinal hernia repair. RESULTS: After 67,306 primary hernia repairs there were 2117 reoperations (3.1%) and 187 re-reoperations (8.8%). The cumulated re-reoperation rate after primary Lichtenstein repair (n = 1124) was significantly reduced after laparoscopic operation for recurrence (1.3% (95% CI: 0.4-3.0)) compared with open repairs for recurrence (Lichtenstein 11.3% (8.2-15.2), nonmesh 19.2% (14.0-25.4), mesh (non-Lichtenstein) 7.2% (4.0 - 11.8)). After primary nonmesh (n = 616), non-Lichtenstein mesh (n = 277), and laparoscopic repair (n = 100) there was no significant difference in re-reoperation rates between a laparoscopic repair and all open techniques of repair for recurrence. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair is recommended for reoperation of a recurrence after primary open Lichtenstein repair.     

Influence of suture material and surgical technique on risk of reoperation after non-mesh open hernia repair

BACKGROUND: Although mesh techniques are used with increasing frequency, sutured repair still has a place in groin hernia surgery. Studies relating suture material to recurrence rate have yielded conflicting results. The aim of the present study was to analyse the influence of suture material and sutured non-mesh technique on the risk of reoperation in open groin hernia repair using data from the Swedish Hernia Register. METHODS: The relative risk of reoperation after sutured repair using non-absorbable, late absorbable and early absorbable sutures was compared in multivariate analyses, taking into account known confounding factors. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2000, 46,745 hernia repairs were recorded in the Swedish Hernia Register. Of these, 18,057 repairs were performed with open non-mesh methods and were included in the analysis. Using non-absorbable suture as reference, the relative risk of reoperation after repair with early absorbable suture and late absorbable suture was 1.50 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 1.22 to 1.83) and 1.03 (95 per cent c.i. 0.83 to 1.28) respectively. Using the Shouldice repair as reference, other sutured repairs were associated with a significantly higher relative risk of reoperation (1.22, 95 per cent c.i. 1.03 to 1.44). CONCLUSION: A non-absorbable or a late absorbable suture is recommended for open non-mesh groin hernia repair. The Shouldice technique was found to be superior to other open methods.     

Three-year results of a randomized clinical trial of lightweight or standard polypropylene mesh in Lichtenstein repair of primary inguinal hernia

BACKGROUND: This randomized trial examined whether lightweight (LW) polypropylene mesh (large pore size, partially absorbable) could have long-term benefits in reducing chronic pain and inflammation after inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Six hundred men with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to Lichtenstein repair using a standard polypropylene mesh or a LW mesh in one of six centres. The patients were blinded to which mesh they received. Clinical examination was performed and a pain questionnaire completed 3 years after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 590 men who had surgery, 243 (82.7 percent) of 294 in the standard mesh group and 251 (84.8 percent) of 296 in the LW mesh group were examined in the clinic, a median of 37 (range 30-48) months after hernia repair. There were nine recurrent hernias in each group (3.7 percent with standard mesh and 3.6 per cent with LW mesh). Patients who had LW mesh had less pain on examination, less pain on rising from lying to sitting, fewer miscellaneous groin problems and felt the mesh less often than patients with standard mesh. CONCLUSION: Use of LW mesh for Lichtenstein hernia repair did not affect recurrence rates, but improved some aspects of pain and discomfort 3 years after surgery.     

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??Groin hernia repair in young males: mesh or sutured repair? Bisgaard T*,Bay-Nielsen M,Kehlet H. *Department of Surgery, Køge Sygehus, Køge, Denmark
Corresponding author: Bisgaard T,e-mail:thuebisgaard@tdcadsl.dk
Abstract Objective Large-scale data for the optimal inguinal hernia repair in younger men with an indirect hernia is not available. We analysed nationwide data for risk of reoperation in younger men after a primary repair using a Lichtenstein operation or a conventional non-mesh hernia repair. Methods Prospective recording of all inguinal hernia repairs from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2005 in the national Danish Hernia Database, using reoperation rate as a proxy for recurrence. We included only men between the age of 18 and 30 years with a primary repair of a primary indirect inguinal hernia. Results A primary sutured repair was performed in 1,120 men (median age 23 years, range 18-30) and a Lichtenstein mesh repair in 2,061 young men (24 years, range 18-30) (total 3,181 patients). The observation time after conventional hernia repair was median 62 months (range 0-96) and 41 months (range 0-96) after a Lichtenstein repair. The cumulative incidence of reoperation at 5 years was 1.6% (Lichtenstein) versus 3.9% (sutured repair), while overall reoperation rates were almost three-fold as high after a sutured repair (39 reoperations, overall reoperation rate = 3.5%) compared to a Lichtenstein repair (24 reoperations, overall reoperation rate=1.2%;P=0.0003). Conclusion Lichtenstein repair for an indirect inguinal hernia reduces the risk of recurrence in young men between the age of 18 and 30 years compared with a sutured repair. The use of a Lichtenstein mesh repair in young males must be balanced against the risk of chronic pain.     

A randomized prospective trial comparing clinical outcomes 3 years after surgery by Marcy repair and Prolene Hernia System® repair for adult indirect inguinal hernia

Purpose

The use of mesh in the surgical repair of adult indirect inguinal hernias is widely recommended in Western countries, but no randomized controlled trials have so far been reported in Japan. The purpose of the present randomized prospective trial was to compare a mesh method with non-mesh method for surgical repair of primary adult indirect inguinal hernias in which the diameter of the internal inguinal ring was up to 3.0 cm (I-1 or I-2 of Japanese Hernia Society Classification).

Methods

Patients with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia and I-1 or I-2 surgical findings were randomized to undergo either Marcy repair or Prolene Hernia System^® repair. Primary endpoints were recurrence, infection, and pain, with follow-up continued for 3 years postoperatively.

Results

Ninety-one of 479 patients with an inguinal hernia during the study period did not meet the exclusion criteria, and 46 were allocated to Marcy repair and 45 were allocated to Prolene Hernia System^® repair. No recurrence was observed in either group, and no significant differences were identified between the groups in any of the primary endpoints.

Conclusion

This randomized prospective trial of I-1 and I-2 inguinal hernias suggests that Marcy repair is not inferior to PHS repair. A large-scale randomized controlled trial appears warranted to confirm whether to use mesh for Japanese adult I-1 and I-2 hernias.     

Effects of training and supervision on recurrence rate after inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND: There is little information about the effects of operative experience and supervision of trainees on outcome in inguinal hernia surgery, one of the cornerstone operations of basic surgical training. METHODS: All primary inguinal hernia repairs carried out between 1994 and 2001 were registered prospectively in the Lothian Surgical Audit database. Subsequent problems that required re-referral were identified from this database. Patients who required reoperation for recurrence a median of 3 (range 1-7) years after surgery were identified. RESULTS: Some 4406 repairs, including 90 recurrences (2.0 per cent), were identified. Open mesh, open sutured and laparoscopic techniques were employed. Senior trainees (registrars and senior registrars) had similar recurrence rates to consultants; supervision did not affect outcome. Junior trainees (senior house officers) had similar recurrence rates to consultants as long as they were supervised by either a senior trainee or a consultant. Unsupervised junior trainees had unacceptably high recurrence rates (open mesh: relative risk (RR) 21.0 (95 per cent confidence interval (c.i.) 7.3 to 59.9), P < 0.001; open sutured: RR 16.5 (95 per cent c.i. 7.2 to 37.8), P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Senior trainees may operate independently and supervise junior trainees, with recurrence rates equal to those of consultant surgeons. Junior trainees should be encouraged and given more practice in inguinal hernia repair with appropriate supervision.