Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using a balloon dissection technique.
A laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach using a balloon dissection technique was used to repair 40 inguinal hernias in 35 patients. The initial experience with this method is presented. Thirty-four of these hernias were indirect, five direct and one sliding. Three were recurrent hernias. The operation time ranged from 40 to 135 min. Thirty-two of the patients stayed overnight in the hospital; Three stayed 2 nights. Return to normal activities ranged from 3 to 21 days. None of the patients had problems with nerve entrapment and to date there have been no recurrences of the hernias following the repairs. The procedure has been very well-tolerated by all patients.
Department of Surgery, Tauranga Hospital, New Zealand.
R L
RL
Cable
P J
PJ
Gilling
W O
WO
Jones
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D004210:Dissection / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors