In 1993 to 1997 at the IIIrd Surgical Clinic of the First Medical Faculty Charles University 1271 patients with the diagnosis of external hernia were operated. For classical operations the term herniorrhaphia (HR) is used, for operations with a mesh hernioplasty (HP). For the present study 204 patients were selected operated in 1996 (half the operations were done by the „classical“ method, the other half using a supporting mesh). The mean age of the patients was 57 years. For evaluation the sex, age, height, body weight, employment, risk factors, site and type of hernia, number of recurrens before operation, type and period of administered antibiotic, prevention of thrombosis, type of anaesthesia, complications, duration of operation and hospitalzation were recorded. After analyzing the results the authors reached the following conclusions: 1. At present there practically does not exist any patient with hernia contraindicated for surgery. 2. For treatment of external hernias a polypropylene net (Prolen ) is suitable and its price is reasonable. 3. In obese patients we indicate surgery using a net. 4. In risk patients antibiotic prophylaxis is indicated. 5. Heparinization increases the risk of development of haematomas, therefore in heparinized patients drainage of the wound is recommended. 6. Patients after surgery for hernias in the Czech Republic were hospitalized in 1996 for an unnecessarily long time according to the authors’ experience.

        Key words: hernia – herniorraphia – hernioplasty – Prolen – complications