THE LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF INGUINAL-HERNIAS

The successful advent of laparoscopic abdominal surgery has led to the treatment of groin hernias by this route. This possibility had been considered some 14 years ago, since which time clinical and experimental preliminary studies were carried out. The promising results have led to a clinical trial that initially included patients with direct and inguinal hernias. More recently, incarcerated and recurrent inguinal hernias have been treated, as well as femoral and obturator hernias. Because the number of hernias treated are small (30) and the follow-up is short (1-18 months), this approach should still be regarded as investigational. The technique and operative details are presented.