The European Hernia Society (EHS-GREPA) a non-profit making international scientific forum that focuses on ABDOMINAL WALL SURGERY. It was founded by a group of French Surgeons in 1979 and was labeled as GREPA (Groupe de Recherche et d’Etudes de la Paroi Abdominale), but in order to adopt a more inclusive and European approach, the name was subsequently changed in 1998 to the European Hernia Society. Today the EHS-GREPA consists of 19 national chapters with more than 1100 members.
The EHS devotes itself to improving patient care by the study of both scientific and clinical related matters in the field of hernia. To this end it holds an ‘Annual Congress’ which facilitates presentations and discussions in new scientific research within hernia surgery. As a society the EHS has developed classifications and guidelines to help define surgical standards and clinical diagnosis, and also coordinates clinical trials. It is supported by "HERNIA" the official journal of the EHS as well as its sister-organization; The American Hernia Society (AHS).