[Procedural options for laparoscopic inguinal hernial repair--what should the general physician recommend?]

For the repair of inguinal hernias the conventional Bassini, Shouldice and Lichtenstein procedures, plug repair and laparoscopic procedures are available. The latter may be a totally endoscopic preperitoneal repair (TEP) or a transabdominal preperitoneal meshplasty (TAPP), usually applying polypropylene meshes. In general, alloplastic material should not be used in patients younger than 45, so as to prevent possible groin or testicular complaints, or avoid difficulties with a scar plate in the event of subsequent surgery. Exceptions are, for example, large recurrences or an expressed preference on the part of the patient.