[Inguinal hernia recurrence. Report of our personal experience]

In our previous studies, we reasserted the concept regarding the fundamental role of the transversalis fascia in securing and maintaining restraint on the abdominal wall in correspondence with the "inguinal fissure", which is considered a hiatus and a weak point. The role played by the transversalis fascia was first proposed by Edoardo Bassini and later reaffirmed by other authors, surgeons and anatomists. This concept led to the belief that the procedures deemed effective in treating inguinal hernia were those capable of strengthening or substituting the transversalis fascia. In a recent study we compared the immediate and long-term results of three techniques: Bassini, Lichtenstein and preperitoneal prosthesis by inguinal way. A lower number of recurrences was noted in the latter as compared to the others. Based on the aforementioned points, the same verification was carried out regarding recurrent inguinal hernia. The results concerning the incidence of relapse were similar, proving once again the effectiveness of the preperitoneal prosthesis (2.5% vs 6.6% for Lichtenstein). We have also attempted to identify the factors which were considered possible causes of recurrence in the previous cases we examined, allowing us to reach useful conclusions in the prevention of hernia recurrence.