title: Inguinal hernia recurrence: Classification and approach.
abstract: The authors reviewed the records of 2,468 operations of groin hernia in 2,350 patients, including 277 recurrent hernias updated to January 2005. The data obtained - evaluating technique, results and complications - were used to propose a simple anatomo-clinical classification into three types which could be used to plan the surgical strategy: Type R1: first recurrence 'high,' oblique external, reducible hernia with small (<2 cm) defect in non-obese patients, after pure tissue or mesh repairType R2: first recurrence 'low,' direct, reducible hernia with small (<2 cm) defect in non-obese patients, after pure tissue or mesh repairType R3: all the other recurrences - including femoral recurrences; recurrent groin hernia with big defect (inguinal eventration); multirecurrent hernias; nonreducible, linked with a controlateral primitive or recurrent hernia; and situations compromised from aggravating factors (for example obesity) or anyway not easily included in R1 or R2, after pure tissue or mesh repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Milano, Policlinico Hospital I.R.C.C.S, Pad. Beretta Est, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Giampiero
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Campanelli
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pettinari
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cavalli
authors.forename: Ettore Contessini
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Avesani