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Situations Where Laparoscopic Surgery May Be Preferred

Laparoscopic hernia surgery has advantages over open surgery in the repair of an inguinal hernia when:

  • You need to return to work as soon as possible. Laparoscopic hernia surgery is associated with less pain and a shorter recovery time than open repair.1
  • A recurrent hernia needs to be repaired. Repairing a recurrent hernia is easier with laparoscopic surgery, because the instruments used do not have to go through scar tissue or mesh from the previous hernia repair.
  • The opposite side of the groin needs to be explored for a hernia. Both sides can be explored without another incision in the abdomen, because the instrument can be placed so that the doctor can see both sides of the groin.
  • Hernias on both sides of the groin are repaired at the same time.

Citations

  1. McCormack K, et al. (2003). Laparoscopic techniques versus open techniques for inguinal hernia repair. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (1).
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery
Last Revised April 26, 2011

Last Revised: April 26, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery

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