Laparoscopic Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair also known as minimally invasive or minimal access surgery, uses an instrument called a laparoscope. Between two and four small incisions are made through the abdominal wall through which are passed the laparoscope (a thin telescope with a light on the end) and surgical instruments into the abdomen. The incisions are small, so the whole technique is often called keyhole surgery. (Conventional surgery is called open surgery.)

The hernia is then viewed from inside the abdomen, from the other side of the abdominal wall.

The abdominal cavity is inflated with carbon dioxide gas to give the surgeon space to work inside the patient and the actual operating is done remotely with long instruments.

The hernia defect or hole is covered with mesh from within the abdomen and staples commonly fired through it into the muscle tissue in order to fix it as a patch.