Stoppa-type laparoscopic repair of complex groin defects.

With the laparoscopic approach, bilateral and complex groin defects can be corrected simultaneously by applying a preperitoneal mesh that covers the entire posterior wall of the groin, using a technique similar to the one described by Stoppa. We present our series of hernias repaired by the transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic approach with the Stoppa-type technique. The report consists of 78 cases of bilateral defects, of which 60% were indirect bilateral hernias, 23% direct bilateral, and 17% combined defects; 28.5% were recurrent hernias. Only minor complications were observed (hematomas and urinary retention) in some patients, but all resolved spontaneously. Three recurrences (0.7%) have been seen to this date. This method is recommended as the method of choice for complex groin defects.