[Prosthetic hernia surgery. Our experience]

795 cases of inguinal and femoral hernia repair, utilizing polypropylene meshes, were performed during the period 1/1/91-31/3/97. The Trabucco repair was performed in 301 cases (37.8%), while the Lichtenstein technique in 494 (62.2%). In the last two years the Lichtenstein technique was preferred to homogenize the results. Local anesthesia was used in 89% and follow-up, in 69% cases, has ranged from two months to six years. The most important complications were 12 hematomas (1.6%) and 4 infections (0.5%). There were two recurrences (0.3%), due to a technical error.