Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy: initial experience in a community hospital

Since February 1992, 32 laparoscopic herniorrhaphies have been performed in 25 patients, including 15 indirect, 16 direct and 1 femoral defect. These were performed in a 275 bed community hospital initially using a "plug and patch" technique, and later employing repair of the hernia defect with a sheet of prolene mesh only. Patients were managed on an out patient basis and were able to resume full activity in 7 to 10 days. Despite the lack of long term follow-up and additional cost basis for the laparoscopic procedures, this method of repairing hernia defects promises to be safe and effective with a high degree of patient satisfaction.