EXTRAPERITONEAL ENDOSCOPIC INGUINAL HERNIORRHAPHY PERFORMED WITHOUT CARBON-DIOXIDE INSUFFLATION

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy is an alternative to the st andard open inguinal herniorrhaphy. The procedure is usually done with general or epidural anesthesia and carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation. Previously, if the peritoneum was perforated in a patient on whom epi dural anesthesia was used, conversion to general anesthesia was requir ed because of the resulting pneumoperitoneum. Eliminating CO2 insuffla tion from the procedure would obviate this problem. The following is a description of the first 5 reported cases of extraperitoneal endoscop ic herniorrhaphy done without the need for CO2 insufflation.