Younger age significantly increases the risk of recurrence following primary ventral hernia repair.

• 35.6% of patients aged 20-29 experience recurrence, a 15% higher rate compared to those aged 50-59.
• Overall recurrence prevalence declines with patient age; this trend holds across various subgroup analyses.

Consider patient age in preoperative risk counseling to better inform surgical decisions.

• 90-day readmission rates do not vary significantly with age.