Laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using a balloon dissection technique.

A laparoscopic extraperitoneal approach using a balloon dissection technique was used to repair 40 inguinal hernias in 35 patients. The initial experience with this method is presented. Thirty-four of these hernias were indirect, five direct and one sliding. Three were recurrent hernias. The operation time ranged from 40 to 135 min. Thirty-two of the patients stayed overnight in the hospital; Three stayed 2 nights. Return to normal activities ranged from 3 to 21 days. None of the patients had problems with nerve entrapment and to date there have been no recurrences of the hernias following the repairs. The procedure has been very well-tolerated by all patients.