Early return to work after repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia

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Abstract
Ninety-seven Royal Naval and Royal Marine officers and ratings undergoing repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized postoperatively into two groups: A, those who returned to full working duties 21 days after operation; B, those who returned to light duties 21 days after operation and to full duties at 3 months. Patients were reviewed at 3 and 12 months. One patient was withdrawn because of the development of late sepsis. Two patients in group B developed a recurrence of hernia within 1 year. No patient who returned to full duties at 21 days was unable to do any duty assigned to him. In a concurrent trial 119 male civilian patients were treated in the same hospital under identical conditions. All patients were reviewed 21 days after operation and were randomized into two groups: C, those advised to return to work immediately; D, those given no advice. Patients in group C returned to work in a mean of 38 days (range 14–96 days), whereas those in group D returned in a mean of 71 days (range 14–280 days). There was no recurrence of hernia in either group within the review period. It is concluded that there is no contraindication to resuming physical work 3 weeks after the uncomplicated repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia, and that active encouragement shortens the interval before return to work.