Laparoscopic repair of parapubic hernia

Abstract

Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the late 1980s, video technology has continued to find new applications in the field of general surgery. Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy is touted by many to provide a minimally invasive approach to the most commonly performed general surgical procedure, possibly with a lower incidence of recurrence. Additionally, laparoscopic repair of an incisional hernia with synthetic mesh allows a tension-free procedure while potentially reducing the risk of complications such as wound and mesh infections by avoiding the use of large abdominal wall incisions through old surgical scars. The parapubic hernia is a rare form of incisional hernia resulting from the detachment of muscular attachments to the pubic bone. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge that is often misdiagnosed and mismanaged. We have found the laparoscopic approach to the parapubic hernia to be a superior method of managing this often challenging condition.