Crucial anatomic lessons for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is generally performed using a transabdominal approach, an approach to hernia repair that is unfamiliar to most general surgeons. There is sufficient published anecdotal experience to indicate that the relationships of structures near the internal ring are not generally known and that this may predispose to their injury. There is considerable variability of nerves that pass through, or deep to, the iliopubic tract lateral to the internal inguinal ring, making it potentially hazardous to place staples or sutures in this region. Medially, the surgeon must be conscious of the possible presence of an aberrant obturator artery or vein and unexpected iliopubic vessels and take appropriate precautions to avoid unexpected sources of hemorrhage. The human cadaver, especially in the unfixed state, can be an ideal model to learn the surgical anatomy for laparoscopic hernia repair and to avoid neurovascular injuries.