Included in this study were 238 femoral hernias.1 They comprised 5.35 per cent of the total group of all types of hernias seen in the wards in the period covered by this study. Among these, femoral hernias not previously repaired numbered 222, of which 210 were repaired by operation. Of these, 140 were examined postoperatively for nine months or longer or until a recurrence was discovered. Only 5 recurrences developed, giving a recurrence rate of 3.6 per cent.
The remaining 16 femoral hernias were recurrent, following a previous repair. All 16 were operated on. Thirteen were followed for nine months or longer, and 2 recurrences were discovered, a recurrence rate of 15.4 per cent.
The period covered by this study was from 1916 to 1935 inclusive. All femoral hernias in patients admitted to the wards at St. Luke's Hospital, New York, from 1926 to 1935 and all hernias of