Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

The safest and most effective inguinal hernia repair (laparoscopic versus open mesh) is being debated. As the authors point out, the former accounts for the minority of hernia repairs performed in the United States and around the world. The reasons for this are a demonstration in the literature of increased operative times, increased costs, and a longer learning curve. But the laparoscopic approach has clear advantages, including less acute and chronic postoperative pain, shorter convalescence, and earlier return to work. This article describes the transabdominal preperitoneal and totally extraperitoneal techniques, provides indications and contraindications for laparoscopic repair, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each technique, and provides an overview of the literature comparing tension-free open and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.