title: Laparoscopic incisional and ventral herniorrhaphy in 100 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic incisional and ventral herniorrhaphy, a procedure first described 7 years ago, continues to gain acceptance. A series of about 100 patients who underwent the operation is described. Follow-up in this series was longer (mean 51 months) than that in previously reported series.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was conducted of operative and follow-up records of a series of patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic incisional or ventral herniorrhaphy between 1992 and 1997.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Laparoscopic repair was completed in 96 of 100 patients. The complication rate was 14%, with seromas accounting for half of the postoperative problems. Mean hospital stay was 1 day. The late recurrence rate was 9%, with 4 of the 9 recurrences developing >2 years postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic incisional and ventral herniorrhaphy is safe and effective. Most patients require hospitalization for </=24 hours. Use of an adequately sized prosthesis secured with more than one method is essential. Patients should be observed >/=3 years.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Specialty Group, Inc., Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808, USA.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: LeBlanc
authors.forename: W V
authors.initials: WV
authors.lastname: Booth
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Bellanger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016684:Prone Position; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome