Double-buttress laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.

To determine if laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy can be performed safely in unselected patients, the authors' first 100 consecutive laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs were reviewed. All patients with inguinal hernias who were candidates for general anesthetic were accepted for the study. Their ages ranged from 18 to 84 years. One hundred and six hernias were laparoscopically repaired in 95 males and 4 females. One male patient required an open hernia repair. The first 14 patients were repaired with a preperitoneal patch and plug technique, and the next 85 with the double-buttress transabdominal preperitoneal approach. Two pieces of polypropylene mesh were stapled to the transversalis fascia, ileopubic tract, and Cooper's ligament after the preperitoneal dissection of the hernia was completed. The first piece was placed over the indirect space, with a slit for the cord medially, and the second piece was placed over the entire direct and indirect area. Patients have been followed from 8-18 months. To date, no recurrence has developed. Complications have included seroma, inferior epigastric bleeding, trocar hernia, and neuralgia. Patients have returned to work and normal activity in 2 days to 2 weeks, with an average of 1 week.