Hernia Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Hernia, including details on hiatal, inguinal, umbilical, abdominal, treatment.

Laparoscopic femoral hernia repair using umbilical ligament as plug.

Ikossi DG, Shaheen R, Mallory B

Department of Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-5733, USA.

A novel technique for the laparoscopic repair of femoral hernia is described. An 11-year-old boy who had undergone previous open inguinal herniorrhaphy presented with a persistent bulge in the ipsilateral groin. At laparoscopic exploration, a small femoral hernia was discovered. It was reduced with extrinsic compression and the defect closed laparoscopically using a permanent purse-string suture. The ipsilateral umbilical ligament was dissected off the abdominal wall and secured (plugged) over the internal opening, providing a tension-free repair. The immediate postoperative result was satisfactory and there was minimal postoperative pain. Two-year follow-up confirmed adequate repair, without recurrence. This laparoscopic technique enabled diagnostic precision, contralateral evaluation, and a novel means of patching and buttressing the peritoneal closure with umbilical ligament. The procedure is safe, simple, and provides excellent functional and cosmetic results.

Published 18 May 2005 in J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A, 15(2): 197-200.
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