Recurrent inguinal hernia

: Inguinal hernias that recur after parietal herniorraphy are still frequent, the mean recurrence figures obtained from a review of the literature being 7.3, 5.2 and 1.1 percent respectively after the Bassini, Mc Vay and Shouldice repair techniques. The variability of bibliographical data and the factors which facilitate recurrence are analyzed; the choice of the approach route and of the most reliable repair technique is discussed. Although the present tendency is increasingly towards the use of preperitoneal prostheses, there is still room for reoperative surgery by the inguinal route, combining herniorraphy with hernioplasty, and without prosthesis.