Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair.

Ventral hernias, whether naturally occurring or the result of previous surgery, comprise one of the most common problems confronting general surgeons. As many as 25% of laparotomy incisions develop a hernia over long-term follow-up, which is a difficult problem with many treatment algorithms. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair has improved over the last decade and has proven to be an effective treatment option. With fewer wound complications and low recurrence rates, it is a useful tool in the surgeon's armamentarium. Care should be taken regarding patient selection, operative technique, and mesh size to ensure adequate repair of the hernia, thereby preventing recurrence at a later date. The first attempt at a hernia repair has the highest chance of long-term success, so it is important that the surgeon take all the factors into mind before proceeding with operative repair.