Laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair of incisional hernia

Improvements in laparoscopic techniques and equipment have engendered many new intraabdominal procedures. Laparoscopic hernioplasty was used in 11 patients with 12 incisional abdominal hernias. All repairs were made with an intraperitoneal onlay patch of expanded polytef Gore-Tex DualMesh Biomaterial. The patch was secured by whole-thickness sutures, tied subcutaneously through stab holes, and staples between the sutures to cover the hernia defect without excision of the hernia sac. There were three postoperative complications: one seroma, one hematoma, and one infection. These complications successfully healed without reoperation. No recurrence was observed during a follow-up of 8-21 months (average 15 months). It is concluded that laparoscopic incisional hernioplasty using the new Gore-Tex DualMesh Biomaterial, which is securely sutured and stapled on the abdominal wall, is a promising minimally invasive procedure. Continued follow-up is necessary to determine the long-term results.