The laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal approach allows inspection and repair of direct, indirect, femoral, and obturator hernias. This study found this procedure to be feasible, safe, and highly effective for the diagnosis and repair of obturator hernias.

Familiarity with the anatomy involved leads to the conclusion that the laparoscopic approach, specifically the TEP procedure, can be used without hesitation even in cases of acutely incarcerated hernia.

We have found that TEP repair of recurrent inguinal hernia after a primary TEP repair is entirely feasible technically as well as entirely safe.

The incidence of mesh infection in laparoscopic repair is considerably lower than in the open procedure. The two main reasons for this are the introduction of mesh through trocars to avoid skin contact, and the mesh is placed far from the trocar incisions, again avoiding contamination. The rate of wound infection is not related to that of mesh infection, and depends mainly on aseptic prepping techniques prior to surgery.

No abstract