Present state of failure rates (clinical studies and epidemiological database, short- and long-term)

Abstract

Hernia treatment has been a challenge to surgeons for more than 2000 years. Modern hernia surgery started in Italy, more than 100 years ago, with Eduardo Bassini's presentation of a new method of repair. Bassini did not just invent a new method of inguinal hernia repair [1]; one of his major contributions was that he performed adequate audit and follow-up of patients [2]. Notable improvements in herniology after that were the development of the Shouldice technique and the introduction of prosthetic mesh. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.