The authors report a controlled series of 40 patients treated for recidivating inguinal hernia and laparocele with the implant of alloplastic material. Short-term prophylaxis with vancomycin was performed in all cases. The antibiotic was found to be well tolerated at the doses used and this was associated with a good clinical success rate. The use of vancomycin in prophylaxis for this type of surgery is considered a rational choice and the use of short-term prophylaxis reduces the risks linked to possible collateral effects.