[Prosthetic repair of inguinal and crural hernias]

335 inguino-femoral hernias were repaired with polypropylene mesh from December 1991 through December 1995. Eleven patients underwent mesh reinforced Bassini, 167 modified Lichtenstein's technique and 108 Trabucco's repair. Forty-three patients were treated under regional anesthesia. Bilateral hernia was diagnosed in 33 patients and in 20 out of 33 the surgical procedure was entirely performed under regional anesthesia. Early complications referred were 32 scrotal hematomas which spontaneously healed. Two patients showed a recidive hernia and were retreated with and additional mesh; plug rejection (early experience) was referred in one patient who was reoperated on employing a mesh. The indications for the more suitable technique were directly deducted from Nyhus' hernia classification. The authors finally point out the: 1) importance of regional inguinal anesthesia; 2) correct cutting and application of the mesh in the inguinal canal; 3) internal inguinal ring repair; 4) bilateral hernia repair under regional anesthesia.