Inguinal Hernia: Four Open Approaches

Open inguinal hernia approaches are varied. The best studied approaches are reviewed herein. The common factor among them is the imperative anatomy knowledge of the surgeon. This knowledge is key to improved outcomes. A tailored approach is best to determine which open technique, if any, is most appropriate for the patient. Although the anterior mesh approach is the most commonly applied, there is support in using the posterior approach or a tissue repair for subsets of patients, such as women.