The incidence of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) has increased in the last decades. The therapy of VIN is the in toto resection. Still some patients develop VIN recurrence. The aim of this retrospective study is the identification of risk factors for VIN recurrence.68 Patients with VIN III has been examined in an univariate and multivariate analysis for the following parameters (follow-up: median 27 months): age, HPV, HIV, multicentricity, resection margins (1-4 mm, 5-9 mm, > or = 10 mm).In the univariate analysis positive HPV and HIV status correlated with VIN recurrence. Also resection margins or = 5 mm. HPV- and/or HIV-positive patients have a significantly higher risk for VIN recurrence and need therefore an intensive follow up.