title: First laparoscopic hernia repair onboard an aircraft carrier at sea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the first known and documented laparoscopic hernia repair onboard an aircraft carrier (USS Abraham Lincoln).
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case report of a 23-year-old healthy male seen in our Medical Department in pain with a clear mass on the right groin area. The sailor was scheduled for elective repair using a single-chip, 0 degree laparoscope from Stryker Company.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopic hernia repair was performed with complete recovery and immediate return to his usual duties onboard the aircraft carrier.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopy is not a new concept in surgery, but the performance of this surgical modality onboard a nuclear warship is a landmark event that will maximize naval operational readiness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, FL 32214-5000, USA.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cubano
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Luther
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Antosek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D009326:Naval Medicine; D014481:United States