Cost-effective, reliable laparoscopic hernia repair: A report on 500 consecutive repairs

A series of 500 consecutive laparoscopic hernia repairs, performed by one surgeon, was studied to evaluate the procedure for reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness. Patients with routine, first-time, recurrent or multiply recurrent, inguinal hernias were operated using the technique described. The recurrence rate was 0.2%. The complication rate was 0.6%. There were no deaths. Ninety-six percent of patients returned to work in 4-10 days. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is reliable, safe, and cost-effective.