Technique and early results of outpatient laparoscopic mesh onlay repair of ventral hernias

Background: This report describes the technique and early results of a simp le outpatient laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. Methods: Data were gathered prospectively for all laparoscopic ventral hern ia repairs from January 1996 to December 1997 at a 228-bed hospital. Prolen e mesh was stapled to the peritoneal surface of the abdominal wall, leaving sac in situ and mesh uncovered. Patients were seen by the operating surgeo n within 2 months, and by an impartial surgeon (J.S.) after 3 to 14 months (average, 7 months; median, 6 months). Results: Repairs involved 44 hernias with orifice sizes 2 to 20 cm in diame ter, and an average area of 20 cm(2). Of these 44 hernias, 36 were postoper ative and 8 primary. Furthermore, 20% were recurrent hernias. There were fo ur conversions. The outpatient rate was 98%. with one readmission for ileus . The early recurrence rate was 5%. Conclusions: Laparoscopic mesh onlay repair is a safe, easy, and effective procedure with minimal discomfort and a low early recurrence rate that can be performed safely on an outpatient basis.