[Recurrent hernias after previous Shouldice operation]

For all 158 surgical operations performed on hernia recurrences throughout the period from March 2000 until the end of May 2001, we compared the intra-operative findings to the information contained in the operation reports--as far as available--as part of our quality management. In less than 20 % of the patients for whom a Shouldice repair had been documented in the operation reports, we found evidence of the actual performance of a Shouldice repair (typical cicatrised modifications on the rear wall or the fascia transversalis, sutures or residues of sutures). 74 % of the patients were treated with a Marlex(R) Perfix plug, avoiding the resection of stable cicatrisation fractions with incision of the rear wall in the case of an intact fascia. On 26 % of the patients it was possible to perform a Shouldice repair in compliance with the original technique. Meanwhile, mesh techniques have outpaced the Shouldice technique with respect to the recurrence rates in the efficiency statistics. This, however, is not caused by the technique as such, but rather by the fact that in many clinics the anatomical situations are obviously incorrectly assessed and/or that insufficient knowledge about suturing techniques prevails. As a consequence, worse results are reported for the Shouldice technique than for the mesh techniques. It is not the Shouldice technique that is insufficient but its performance suffers in many hospitals from substantial insufficiencies in terms of quality.