[Bassini and Shouldice repair of inguinal hernia. A retrospective comparative study]

Between 1987 and 1991 394 primary inguinal hernias in 370 patients were treated in a series of 199 patients using Bassini repair and a consecutive series of 195 patients using Shouldice repair. No intraoperative complications were seen in either group. During hospitalisation time 2 early recurrences were seen after Bassini repair, but there were no significant differences in postoperative haematomas, wound infections and thromboembolic complications between both groups. Recurrence rate was 21.6% in Bassini repair after a mean observation period of 48 months and 2.6% in Shouldice repair after a mean observation period of 26 months. A higher rate of hypesthesia was found after Shouldice repair. There was no incidence of postoperative testicular atrophy, granuloma or hydrocele in both groups. According to the significantly lower recurrence rate and good acceptance by the patients the Shouldice procedure currently seems to be the best standard for inguinal hernia repair.