Prolene Hernia System Maximum Repair: A New Concept in Sports Hernia Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and present the clinical results of a new surgical treatment for sports hernia. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary hospital. PATIENTS: Athletes who underwent sports hernia repair using the proposed technique between July 2006 and June 2020. INTERVENTION: The surgery consists of a combination of a mini-open incision and preperitoneal placement of a three-dimensional bilayer permanent mesh (PHS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main clinical outcomes of the procedure were reviewed, including incidence of complications, long-term results, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: Ninety-two sports hernia repairs were performed on 87 patients (79 male and 8 female patients, median age 30.2 ± 7.8 years). No intraoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up was 15 months. Seventy-seven patients (88.5%) successfully resumed preinjury physical activities within 8 weeks; 80 patients (91.9%) within 12 weeks; and 83 (95.4%) within 6 months (median time of 10 weeks). Only one patient reported recurrence of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Mini-open incision PHS repair seems to be a safe and effective method for treatment of sports hernia, resulting in early return to physical activities, with few complications, and low recurrence rate.

Biologic response of inguinal hernia prosthetics: a comparative study of conventional static meshes versus 3D dynamic implants.

Despite improvements in prosthetics and surgical techniques, the rate of complications following inguinal hernia repair remains high. Among these, discomfort and chronic pain have become a source of increasing concern among surgeons. Poor quality of tissue ingrowth, such as thin scar plates or shrinking scars-typical results with conventional static implants and plugs-may contribute to these adverse events. Recently, a new type of 3D dynamically responsive implant was introduced to the market. This device, designed to be placed fixation-free, seems to induce ingrowth of viable and structured tissue instead of regressive fibrotic scarring. To elucidate the differences in biologic response between the conventional static meshes and this 3D dynamically responsive implant, a histological comparison was planned. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of tissue incorporation in both types of implants excised after short, medium, and long periods post-implantation. The results showed large differences in the biologic responses between the two implant types. Histologically, the 3D dynamic implant showed development of tissue elements more similar to natural abdominal wall structures, such as the ingrowth of loose and well-hydrated connective tissue, well-formed vascular structures, elastic fibers, and mature nerves, with negligible or absent inflammatory response. All these characteristics were completely absent in the conventional static implants, where a persistent inflammatory reaction was associated with thin, hardened, and shrunken fibrotic scar formation. Consequently, as herniation is a degenerative process, the 3D dynamic implants, which induce regeneration of the typical groin components, seem to address its pathogenesis.

'Treatment of the sportsman's groin': British Hernia Society's 2014 position statement based on the Manchester Consensus Conference.

INTRODUCTION: The aim was to produce a multidisciplinary consensus to determine the current position on the nomenclature, definition, diagnosis, imaging modalities and management of Sportsman's groin (SG). METHODS: Experts in the diagnosis and management of SG were invited to participate in a consensus conference held by the British Hernia Society in Manchester, U.K. on 11-12 October 2012. Experts included a physiotherapist, a musculoskeletal radiologist and surgeons with a proven track record of expertise in this field. Presentations detailing scientific as well as outcome data from their own experiences were given. Records were made of the presentations with specific areas debated openly. RESULTS: The term 'inguinal disruption' (ID) was agreed as the preferred nomenclature with the term 'Sportsman's hernia' or 'groin' rejected, as no true hernia exists. There was an overwhelming agreement of opinion that there was abnormal tension in the groin, particularly around the inguinal ligament attachment. Other common findings included the possibility of external oblique disruption with consequent small tears noted as well as some oedema of the tissues. A multidisciplinary approach with tailored physiotherapy as the initial treatment was recommended with any surgery involving releasing the tension in the inguinal canal by various techniques and reinforcing it with a mesh or suture repair. A national registry should be developed for all athletes undergoing surgery. CONCLUSIONS: ID is a common condition where no true hernia exists. It should be managed through a multidisciplinary approach to ensure consistent standards and outcomes are achieved.

Open tension-free hernioplasty using a novel lightweight self-gripping mesh: medium-term experience from two institutions.

PURPOSE: The process of mesh fixation and the potential risk of associated chronic pain are always surgeon's main concerns in hernia surgery. A wide variety of lightweight mesh models are currently available on the market to overcome some of these problems showing good preliminary results, but no data representing the medium- or long-term results. The present study aims to report the clinical outcomes of two institutional series of patients who underwent hernia repair using a partially absorbable auto adherent mesh (Parietene™ Progrip™--PP). METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed including unselected patients with primary groin hernia who underwent a standardized Lichtenstein procedure using the PP mesh at two tertiary institutions. RESULTS: During the 2-year study period, 181 patients (167 males; 14 females) with a median age of 63 years (19-85 years) were operated on at both centers. Short-term complications occurred in 27 patients (15%), the most commonly seen being urinary retention (6%) followed by hematoma (5%) and acute orchitis (2%). With a median follow-up of 17 months (12-29 months), 4 patients (2%) had a feeling of a foreign body in the groin, and 7 (4%) developed chronic pain. A total of four patients (2%) developed recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, the use of the PP mesh for hernioplasties offers a potential benefit not only in the short-term period but also in a medium-term follow-up with low recurrence and late chronic pain rates. However, this particular mesh does not fully prevent all complications and chronic pain and recurrent hernias have been reported for the first time.

Giant intraparietal inguinal hernia misdiagnosed as spigelian hernia in an old woman.

Intraparietal inguinal hernias are a rare variant of inguinal hernia in which the hernia sac lies between the layers of the abdominal muscles. Intraparietal inguinal hernias mimic Spigelian hernias clinically; the diagnosis presents superior difficulties than its treatment. We report a case of a giant intraparietal hernia misdiagnosed as a Spigelian hernia clinically. The patient was 83 years old woman presented with complain of a large swelling over right abdomen for around 25 years. The patient had a huge mass of 25 x 30 cm occupying right flank, right lumbar region extending up to the umbilicus and inguinal region, partially reducible with gurgling sounds. Surgery started with transversal incision over the mass, it was found to be an interstitial variety of intraparietal inguinal hernia with a long viable segment of the small bowel with their mesentery as content of the sac. Hernioplasty with a polypropylene mesh was achieved satisfactorily. The patient was discharged on third postoperative day without complications. It is challenging to diagnose intraparietal hernias preoperatively; intraoperative findings defined its definitive diagnosis and its surgical technique.

Surgical and radiological behavior of MRI-depictable mesh implants after TAPP repair: the IRONMAN study.

PURPOSE: Knowledge of postoperative behavior of mesh implants used for hernia repair is generally limited to cases of recurrence, local complications or return to the previous operative field in other pathological conditions. Previous studies with MRI-visible mesh implants in different parts of the abdominal wall have led to variable findings with regard to mesh properties and mostly described a reduction in size over time with subsequently limited mesh overlap over hernia defects which could contribute to recurrence. We aimed to evaluate implant properties in a mechanically stable anatomical region after TAPP repair of primary unilateral inguinal hernias in men with clinical and MRI examinations 4 weeks and 1 year after surgery. METHODS: From 11/2015 to 01/2019, 23 men with primary, unilateral, inguinal hernias underwent TAPP repair with iron particle-loaded, MRI-visible mesh implants in a prospective cohort study. In 16 patients the operative outcome could be evaluated 4 weeks and 12 months after surgery by clinical examination and MRI evaluation with regard to postoperative course, possible adverse outcomes and radiological findings related to implant behavior-namely MRI-identifiability, mesh dislocation or reduction in surface area. RESULTS: All included patients had an uneventful postoperative clinical course. MRI after 4 weeks revealed one postoperative seroma, which resolved spontaneously. No recurrence was detected. Mesh implants could be accurately delineated in DIXON-IN studies and showed neither clinically nor statistically significant changes in size or position. CONCLUSION: 4 weeks and 1 year after a standardized TAPP procedure the mesh implant used in this study showed no tendency towards dislocation or reduction in size in this anatomical position. Its MRI visibility allows accurate delineation during the postoperative course by experienced radiologists in appropriate MRI protocols. Larger patient series are desirable to further support these findings. Shrinkage of implants in the groin as a reason for early recurrence may be overestimated.

Polyester mosquito net mesh for inguinal hernia repair: A feasible option in resource limited settings in Cameroon?

BACKGROUND: In developing countries, most inguinal hernia repairs are performed using Bassini or Shouldice techniques resulting in higher recurrence rates than with mesh placement. Our study aimed to evaluate the postoperative course and quality of life of patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair with a polyester mosquito net meshes during non-governmental organization health campaigns in Cameroon. METHODS: Patients were prospectively included from January to November 2013. Meshes were made from a polyester non-impregnated mosquito net purchased at a local market in Yaounde and sterilized on site. RESULTS: The total cost of a mesh was 0.21 USD. Among the 41 patients included in the study, 33 (80.5%) were men, 30 (72%) were farmers and the median age was 52 (21-80) years. The time between the onset of symptoms and surgery was 24 (3-240) months. Eleven (26.8%) patients had a previous history of hernia repair: 4 (9.7%) had been operated on the contralateral side and 7 (17.1%) had a recurrence. No intraoperative event related to the meshes was recorded. Three patients (7.2%) had a postoperative uninfected scrotal seroma, and 1 patient (2.4%) experienced a superficial skin infection that was treated using local care and oral antibiotics. No allergic rejection or deep infection was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Meshes made from sterilized mosquito nets are safe and effective and provide a cost-effective alternative to commercially available meshes in countries with limited resources especially during non-governmental organization health campaigns.

Inguinal hernia vs. arthritis of the hip in sporting adolescents--case report and review of the literature.

UNLABELLED: Chronic pain in the hip, groin or thigh can be caused by a wide spectrum of diseases posing extended diagnostic problems. We describe the case of a 10-years old child with chronic pain in the groin with gait restriction for more than six months without successful classification and treatment. The girl suffered from heavy pain in the groin after a sporting contest which forced her to walk with walking sticks and to avoid climbing stairs. Within six months she was examined by pediatric, orthopedic, pediatric surgery, pediatric orthopedic, radiology, pediatric rheumatology specialists. Working diagnoses were transient synovitis (coxitis fugax), arthritis, streptococcal arthritis, Morbus Perthes, rheumatic fever, rheumatoid arthritis. She was treated with antibiotics and ibuprofen in high dosage. Repeated laboratory tests and imaging studies (ultrasound, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging) of the hip and pelvis did not support any of these diagnoses. Six months after beginning of the complaints the girl was presented by her mother to our institution. The physical examination showed a sharp localized pain in the groin, just in the region of the inguinal ligament with otherwise free hip movement. There was no visible inguinal hernia. The family history for hernia was positive. After infiltration of the ilioinguinal nerve the girl had a complete long-lasting disappearance of pain and gait disturbance. This led to the diagnosis of inguinal hernia with nerve entrapment. After hernia repair and neurolysis/neurectomy there was a continuous state of disappearance of pain and gait disturbances. CONCLUSION: To avoid such a diagnostic dilemma one should always discuss all possible causes. Non-visible inguinal hernia may be more common in females than previously thought. Nerve entrapment as a cause of groin pain has been well described. The relationship of the start of complaints with sporting activity, a positive family history for inguinal hernia, a lack of signs of inflammation and bone involvement in the laboratory and imaging studies together with a localized pain in the groin, almost immediate long-lasting disappearance of pain after infiltration of the ilioinguinal nerve allowing free motion leads to the diagnosis of inguinal hernia with nerve entrapment. Hernia repair and neurolysis are the adequate treatment avoiding unnecessary radiation.

Sportsman's hernia.

Sportsman's hernia (SH) is a controversial cause of chronic groin pain in athletes. Most commonly seen in soccer and ice hockey players, SH can be encountered in a variety of sports and in a variety of age groups. Although there are several reports of SH in women, it is almost exclusively found in men. SH is largely a clinical diagnosis of exclusion. History of chronic groin pain that is nonresponsive to treatment should raise suspicion of SH, but physical examination findings are subtle and most diagnostic tests do not definitively confirm the diagnosis. Conservative treatment of SH does not often result in resolution of symptoms. Surgical intervention results in pain-free return of full activities in a majority of cases.

Inguinal hernias: value of preparticipation examination, activity restriction decisions, and timing of surgery.

Though groin pain is common, the differential diagnosis is broad, and narrowing down the diagnosis of an inguinal hernia can be challenging. Once a hernia is diagnosed, play becomes limited based on severity of symptoms and physician and patient comfort, and the athlete should be closely monitored for worsening symptoms. Several surgical approaches are available for the repair of inguinal hernias, but without knowing the true natural history of this disorder, it is difficult to know when it is appropriate to have a hernia repaired.

Sports hernias: experience in a sports medicine center.

PURPOSE: Chronic pain of the inguino-crural region or "pubalgia" explains the 0.5-6.2% of the consultations by athletes. Recently, areas of weakness in the posterior wall called "sports hernias," have been identified in some of these patients, capable of producing long-standing pain. Several authors use different image methods (CT, MRI, ultrasound) to identify the lesion and various techniques of repair, by open or laparoscopic approaches, have been proposed but there is no evidence about the superiority of one over others due to the difficulty for randomizing these patients. In our experience, diagnosis was based on clinical and ultrasound findings followed by laparoscopic exploration to confirm and repair the injury. The present study aims to assess the performance of our diagnostic and therapeutic management in a series of athletes affected by "pubalgia". METHODS: 1450 athletes coming from the orthopedic office of a sport medicine center were evaluated. In 590 of them (414 amateur and 176 professionals) sports hernias were diagnosed through physical examination and ultrasound. We performed laparoscopic "TAPP" repair and, thirty days after, an assessment was performed to determine the evolution of pain and the degree of physical activity as a sign of the functional outcome. We used the U Mann-Whitney test for continuous scale variables and the chi-square test for dichotomous variables with p < 0.05 as a level of significance. RESULTS: In 573 patients ultrasound examination detected some protrusion of the posterior wall with normal or minimally dilated inguinal rings, which in 498 of them coincided with areas affected by pain. These findings were confirmed by laparoscopic exploration that also diagnosed associated contralateral (30.1%) and ipsilateral defects, resulting in a total of 1006 hernias. We found 84 "sport hernias" in 769 patients with previous diagnosis of adductor muscle strain (10.92%); on the other hand, in 127 (21.52%) of our patients with "sport hernias" US detected concomitant injuries of the adductor longus tendon, 7 of which merited additional surgical maneuvers (partial tenotomy). Compared with the findings of laparoscopy, ultrasound had a sensitivity of 95.42% and a specificity of 100%; the positive and negative predictive values were 100 and 99.4% respectively. No postoperative complications were reported. Only seven patients suffered recurrence of pain (successful rate: 98.81%); the ultrasound ruled out hernia recurrence, but in three cases it diagnosed tendinitis of the rectus abdominis muscle. CONCLUSIONS: Our series reflects the multidisciplinary approach performed in a sports medicine center in which patients are initially evaluated by orthopedic surgeons in order to discard the most common causes of "pubalgia". "Sports hernias" are often associated with adductor muscle strains and other injuries of the groin allowing speculate that these respond to a common mechanism of production. We believe that, considering the difficulty to design randomized trials, only a high coincidence among the diagnostic and therapeutic instances can ensure a rational health care.

Inguinal Herniation of a Transplant Ureter: Lessons Learned From a Case of "Water Over the Bridge".

Inguinal herniation of the transplant ureter is rare, and there is a paucity of reports in the literature. Herniation is usually secondary to implanting a long redundant ureter and may be precipitated by its course over the spermatic cord. Most often, there is loss of the allograft owing to delayed presentation and chronic ureteric obstruction. Here, we report a case of inguinal herniation of a transplant ureter with obstruction and graft dysfunction. A 72-year-old man presented 9 years after deceased-donor kidney transplant, with progressive graft dysfunction and a symptomatic right inguinal hernia. A nephrostogram and subsequent surgery confirmed herniation of a loop of transplant ureter into the inguinal canal with a proximal dilated ureter and hydronephrosis. A long and redundant ureter had been anastomosed "over" the spermatic cord to the bladder during the original operation. The ureter was shortened by excising the distal segment, and the proximal dilated ureter was anastomosed to the bladder passing it "underneath" the spermatic cord. We used a Vicryl (polyglactin 910) mesh to repair the hernia. The graft function improved to baseline levels after the nephrostomy and remained stable after the surgery. This case emphasizes the need to keep the ureter short, and the importance of passing it underneath the spermatic cord before anastomosing to the bladder. Transplant and general surgeons should be aware of such presentations of graft dysfunction with inguinal hernia to avoid delayed diagnosis and graft loss.

Simultaneous abdominal wall defect repair and Tenckhoff catheter placement in candidates for peritoneal dialysis.

INTRODUCTION: The presence of pre-existing abdominal wall defect (AWD) could represent a potential contraindication for peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment. We report the results of our 6-year experience involving simultaneous repair of pre-existing AWD and catheter insertion for PD. METHODS: Patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (e-GFR) 7-10 ml/min attending a single nephrology clinic between January 2008 and December 2014 were evaluated. Simultaneous AWD repair and catheter placement was performed. For inguinal (IH) or umbilical hernia (UH), a prolene mesh repair technique was adopted. Except for one case of total anaesthesia, the surgical procedure was performed under either spinal or local anaesthesia. Ceftazidime alone or in association with quinolones was administered 1 h before surgery in a single dose. Patients were discharged 2 days after surgery, and returned to the clinic twice during the 1st week for peritoneum washing (first volume of peritoneal dialysis solution: 300 ml). From week 3, volume (2000 ml) and dwells were personalized according to the patient's clinical condition; options were: incremental PD, standard PD, or continuous cycling PD. Surgical follow-up was planned at 1, 6, and 12 months. RESULTS: Peritoneal catheters were inserted in 170 patients. IH, UH and incisional hernia were found in 18, 2 and 1 patients, respectively. IH was bilateral in 4 patients; concomitant IH and UH occurred in 1 patient. There were no deaths, nor intra-operative complications apart from scrotal haematoma in 1 patient. Over a mean follow-up of 551 days (range 342-1274) no hernia recurrence was registered and the peritoneal catheter continued functioning without problems. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous AWD repair and peritoneal catheter placement seems a reliable and safe surgical procedure that allows patients with AWD to benefit from PD treatment.

A new open anterior tension-free onlay patch technique for inguinofemoral hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The high rate of misdiagnosed, coincident, or recurrent femoral hernias while or after mesh herniorrhaphy suggests its systematic search. We introduced a new open anterior tension-free mesh herniorrhaphy with a novel design. METHODS: A description of the operative technique and patients demographics is presented. RESULTS: Two hundred sixty-eight hernias were repaired with this technique in a 5-year period. Two hundred twelve patients had a primary inguinal hernia. An unsuspected femoral hernia was discovered in 39 patients with a preoperatively diagnosed inguinal hernia. Operative time was 45 minutes, most patients were discharged in less than 24 hours, no recurrence has been noted, and minor complications were present. Most patients had minimal pain and returned to their normal activities within 10 days after surgery. CONCLUSION: This technique has the same advantages of open tension-free repairs, allows identification of femoral hernias, and protects a herniorrhaphy for recurrence.

Prolene hernia system compared with mesh plug technique: a prospective study of short- to mid-term outcomes in primary groin hernia repair.

Two types of anterior tension-free hernioplasty, prolene hernia system (PHS) repair and mesh plug technique (MPT), were introduced to Taiwan in 2001. This study compared the short- to mid-term outcomes following primary groin hernia repair with PHS and MPT. From January 2001 to December 2003, 393 patients with 426 primary groin hernias were operated on by a single surgeon using MPT (n=192) and PHS (n=234). Baseline perioperative details and follow-up information were compared. Demographic characteristics of both groups were similar. The laterality, types of anesthesia, postoperative stay, postoperative wound pain scores, wound complications and days to return to activities of daily life were equally distributed between the two groups. However, the distribution of Gilbert types in the PHS group was shifted a little to the right compared with that of the MPT group. PHS repair had longer operative time (34+/-17 vs 25+/-9 minutes, p<0.01). No recurrence was noted in both groups during the follow-up from 5 to 41 months. Chronic non-disabling groin pains were noted in 2.8% (6/218) of patients in the PHS group and 8.9% (14/175) in the MPT group (p=0.01). Our results show that both PHS and MPT repairs can be performed with short operation time, minor wound pain and quick return to activities of daily life without short- to mid-term recurrences, but postoperatively the MPT group had higher incidence of chronic non-disabling groin pain. Although the MPT is less invasive, the additional protective patch in the preperitoneal space of the PHS may provide a further safeguard against recurrences, especially for those patients with attenuated inguinal floor. Long-term follow-up is needed.

Hernioplasty: a new approach against the recurrence.

In the repair of inguinal hernia, the primary objective is to stop the recurrence of hernia, but it seems this expectation has not been met even with the Lichtenstein mesh repair. Therefore, a totally recurrence-free result cannot be reached until a rational technique is developed. In the new approach, the repair of the inguinal hernia was carried out routinely by a combination of a tension-free mesh implantation along with the on-lay nylon darn. The outcome of this new approach in 125 consecutive patients was found to be very satisfactory, with no evidence of recurrent inguinal hernia apart from a superficial wound infection developed in one patient and both wound infection and wound haematoma in another patient. A recurrence-free inguinal hernia is not a myth in this combined approach, which provides a complementary benefit to each other and a total satisfaction to the patient. It is also cost-effective in the long run.

Inguinal hernia repair with beta glucan-coated mesh: results at two-year follow up.

In a prospective study, 115 patients with a mean age of 55 years, presenting a primary or recurrent hernia were treated with a beta glucan-coated polypropylene mesh (Glucamesh). Fifty-eight underwent a Lichtenstein procedure and 57 had a laparoscopic procedure (TEP/TAPP). Oat beta glucan is an entirely natural plant product that eliminates the risk of viral or prion contamination associated with the use of collagen of animal origin. The beta glucan coated mesh is of lower weight and profile compared to a typical polypropylene implant. Preliminary results have been previously reported. With a mean follow up of 2 years, patients were evaluated by a physician and or a standardized questionnaire in order to evaluate the incidence rate of recurrence discomfort and residual chronic pain. One hundred nine (94.7%) questionnaires were returned. Of these, 104 (90.4%) were complete and analyzed. Mean follow up was 24 months (21-27). Two years after operation the recurrence rate was 1.9% (two cases: one in each group); 98 patients (94.2%) had no pain and have returned to normal activity, work and sport. Five patients (4.8%) had mild pain on moving or at rest and one (0.96%) had moderate pain at rest. There was no correlation between pain and hernia type or surgical technique. At 2 years follow up hernia repair with beta-glucan coated mesh has a low recurrence rate. Incidence of chronic pain is low. The situation is in relationship with a lightweight and smooth mesh of polypropylene and the role of oat beta glucan optimizing the healing and inclusion of the mesh into the tissues.

Tension-free repair versus modified Bassini technique (Andrews technique) for strangulated inguinal hernia: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: To compare tension-free hernia repair to a modified Bassini technique (Andrew's technique) used to treat complicated inguinal hernia. METHODS: In the period 1990-2004, 75 patients were submitted to emergency operation because of strangulated inguinal hernia. 33 patients underwent tension-free repair utilizing a polypropylene mesh (group A), whereas the remaining 42 patients underwent a modified Bassini technique (group B). RESULTS: Mean operative time was significantly longer for group B (91.5+/-9.3 min vs 75.7+/-10.5 min, p<0.05). Postoperative hospital stay was also significantly longer in group B compared to group A (10.3+/-3.4 days vs 4.5+/-2.1 days, p<0.01). Postoperative complication rate did not differ significantly between the two groups (5/33, 15.1% vs 5/42, 11.9%, p=n.s.). No mesh had to be removed. At follow-up (mean 9+/-4.2 years), there was one recurrence in group A (1/33, 3%) and two recurrences in group B (2/42, 4.7%) (p=n.s.). CONCLUSION: The presence of a strangulated inguinal hernia cannot be considered a contraindication for the use of a prosthetic mesh.

An anatomic and functional classification for the diagnosis and treatment of inguinal hernia.

A simple classification of inguinal hernias is presented which can be valuable to surgeons as a (1) blueprint for dissecting the canal, (2) means for choosing the most appropriate operative procedure, (3) means for evaluating and correlating the prognosis of postoperative symptoms, time of convalescence, and degree of disability, and (4) method of identifying and communicating the exact anatomic derangement found so that accurate and consistent follow-up studies and statistics can be prepared. Diligent follow-up is essential for verifying the true results of hernia surgery techniques. Such follow-up requires that the surgeon be dedicated to examining his patients for many years, as well as to understanding, recording, and referencing the exact anatomic and functional defects found and the repairs used to correct them. Only with these factors identified and recorded can there be a basis for meaningful reporting and valuable conclusions. The classification of inguinal hernias presented here is intended to provide surgeons an opportunity to better evaluate their own methods and to more clearly communicate results with colleagues. As Oliver Wendell Holmes once said, "Many times ideas grow better when they are transplanted from one mind to another."