Evolution and Present State of Groin Hernia Repair

Abstract

Known since the beginning of the history of medicine,1 hernias have required help from the surgeon, mostly on the dramatic occurrence of strangulation (Figs 1.1--1.7). But when evaluating elective hernia surgery a little more than a century ago, Paul Segond and William Bull expressed the same sad opinion about the ill-named ``hernia cure'' of their time. In 1883, Segond said, ``There is no operation in the past or present time which deserves the name of radical cure: this remains a chimera. Would radical cure be the unique aim of the surgeon, his duty should be never to operate.''2 Later, in 1890, Bull remarked, ``The use of the word cure for speaking of the operative treatment should be abandoned, and the results measured by the period of relief before recurrence took place.''3