Factors associated with postoperative complications and hernia recurrence for patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair: a report from the VA Cooperative Hernia Study Group.

Background: We sought to determine perioperative variables predictive of complications or recurrence for patients undergoing surgical repair of inguinal hernias.

Patients And Methods: Using data from the Veterans Affairs trial, regression analyses were utilized to identify perioperative factors significantly associated with complications (overall, short-term and long-term), long-term pain, and to develop a risk model for recurrence.

Results: Recurrent and scrotal hernias were predictors for short term and overall complications, regardless of technique.