Laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty. Repair with a conventional vs a new self-expandable mesh.

Laparoscopic hernioplasty was performed in a prospective fashion in 100 inguinal hernias in 66 patients. When available, a self-expanding prosthesis of Mersilene, strengthened with a cross- or star-shaped wire of Nitinol, was used without fixation (group B, 43 hernias). When this prosthesis was not available, a "classic" Prolene prosthesis was used, placed preperitoneally, and stapled according to the technique of Corbitt (group A, 57 hernias). This study compares the results of the two techniques. The use of a mesh-expanding Nitinol frame significantly shortens the operating time. Since two recurrences appeared in this group, we suggest that this modified mesh should also be stapled in place.