Description of M-shaped preperitoneal hernioplasty for inguinocrural hernias

Background The efficacy of preperitoneal herniorrhaphy is controversial in the surgical literature. The development of totally extraperitoneal video-assisted hernioplasty has stimulated further interest in long-term results of open techniques. Some of the main advantages of the two most extended preperitoneal open approaches (Stoppa and Nyhus operations) are combined in the author’s technique described here. Methods Between March 1995 and June 1998, 180 consecutive patients with a total of 202 inguinocrural hernias were treated by an open sutureless preperitoneal repair, using a lateral approach, with placement of a 12 × 10 cm polypropylene mesh. Results Mean operating time was 48 minutes. Overall morbidity rate was 7%. Mean hospital length of stay was 2.16 days. After an average follow up of 3.5 years, the overall recurrence rate was 0.57%. Conclusions M-shaped preperitoneal hernioplasty is a single, safe, and easy repair for inguinocrural hernias, regardless of the type of hernia or the concomitant clinicopathological features of the patient.