The incidence of the recurrences after groin hernia operation can be surprisingly high. Both basic principles of the surgical treatment (tension on, tension free) of this disease are known more than 30 years. It seems, that the latest endoscopic-laparoscopic proceedings have smaller recurrences. However long-term results are absent for more than 10 years from the primare surgery. In the report the basic principles of prime groin hernia surgery are mentioned, both classical transinguinal operation and endoscopic surgery. In the end the fundamental scheme is introduced - how to proceed in surgical treatment of groin hernia recurrences.

        Key words: recurrent groin hernia - prime surgery principles - surgical treatment of the recurrence