Improvements in laparoscopic techniques and equipment have engendered
many new intraabdominal procedures. Laparoscopic hemioplasty was used
in 11 patients with 12 incisional abdominal hernias. All repairs were
made with an intraperitoneal onlay patch of expanded polytef Gore Tex
DualMesh Biomaterial. The patch was secured by whole-thickness sutures
, tied subcutaneously through stab holes, and staples between the sutu
res to cover the hernia defect without excision of the hernia sac. The
re were three postoperative complications: one seroma, one hematoma, a
nd one infection. These complications successfully healed without reop
eration. No recurrence was observed during a follow-up of 8-21 months
(average 15 months). It is concluded that laparoscopic incisional hern
ioplasty using the new Gore-Tex DualMesh Biomaterial, which is securel
y sutured and stapled on the abdominal wall, is a promising minimally
invasive procedure. Continued follow-up is necessary to determine the
long-term results.