Statistical information relative to age, time of recurrence, duration of recurrence, and type of recurrence is available for patients reoperated upon for 226 recurrent inguinal hernias. Recurrence after a femoral herniorrhaphy is not included. The type of recurrence found at reoperation and the type of repair done are correlated. The average follow-up of 166 repairs was nine years with an overall recurrence rate of 33.1%. A patient profile that will predict a recurrence was not found. The follow-up study indicates that a recurrence localized to the pubic tubercle is best treated by repair of the defect only, a recurrence through the floor by use of Cooper's ligament, and a recurrence at the internal ring is poorly treated by repair of the ring only.