The inguinal hernia today. Technical notes

: Following a short introduction on Bassini's operation, alternative surgical techniques are discussed: Postempski, Halsted, Mugnai-Ferrari, Anson-McVay, Marcy, Ferguson, Shouldice with their indications, advantages and disadvantages. Personal experience in the surgical treatment of 516 patients suffering from inguinal hernia is then reported and stress is laid on the need for precise anatomic knowledge of the inguinal region and skill in one technique in particular to limit the risk of recurrences.