The operation of Bassini as described by Attilio Catterina

Abstract

The book entitled, "The Operation of Bassini" by A. Catterina made the greatest contribution to the understanding of the details and technique of the Bassini hernioplasty. The 16 colored figures are reproduced for the first time as far as can be ascertained in North America. For unknown reasons, the book was never published in North America, leaving the surgeons of North America ignorant of Bassini's intentions. Bassini's own descriptions were brief and subject to misinterpretation and his illustrations were not detailed enough. The description given by Andrews of his personal observation of Bassini operating should have, but did not, enlighten North American surgeons. The inguinal hernioplasty of the Shouldice Hospital evolved de novo but is, in fact, the modern equivalent of the Bassini procedure.