Laparoscopic hernioplasty using a self-expandable (umbrella-like) prosthetic patch.

The umbrella-like repair of inguinal hernia via the laparoscope was performed without major complications in 25 patients. The technique involves the preperitoneal placement of a self-expandable patch of polypropylene that incorporates a nitinol wire. This innovation considerably reduces the difficulty of the laparoscopic hernioplasty procedure, saving time and technical effort for the surgeon without sacrificing any of the advantages of a laparoscopic operation for the patient.