[Inguinal hernia. The Shouldice parietal repair].

Parietal repair according to the Shouldice technique consists of a double line of sutures on each of three musculo-aponeurotic layers of the groin, i.e. successively: plicature of the transverse muscle and attachments; aponeuroplasty by back-to-back suture of the internal and external oblique muscles, and plicature of the aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle. Parietal repair of this kind is only possible after wide dissection of the inguinal region. It can be performed under local anaesthesia during a short hospitalization period. Normal activity is rapidly resumed, and in the experience of those who favour this technique, the recurrence rate is a mere 1%.