Use of a Marlex fan in the repair of direct and indirect hernias by laparoscopy.

Sixty-seven laparoscopic hernia repairs are described with the use of Marlex mesh in a new fan configuration in 56 cases. This fan is easily constructed and manipulated endoscopically. It offers more surface area of Marlex to the surrounding tissues and occupies more potential space, being conformable to the space left by a hernia sac. In 67 repairs we have had one recurrence at a maximum of 10 months follow-up. One patient had contralateral lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT), one had a palpable inguinal mass, and two patients suffered temporary orchialgia.