Repairing an inguinal hernia is a common surgical procedure done in the United States with 600,000 to 700,000 procedures done annually. A hernia occurs when there is a weakening in the abdominal wall and the inner lining moves through the deteriorated area forming a sac. An indication that a hernia has occurred is pressure and soreness accompanied with a tender lump in the groin, especially while lifting or bending. To repair the problem, the aim of the surgeon is to patch the abdominal wall, permanently strengthening it resulting in little or no future difficulty.

There are two different approaches when dealing with hernia repair, the traditional "open" procedure and the laparoscopic procedure. Depending on the patient and the situation an evaluation will determine which treatment is best.

In an open procedure, a long incision is made in the groin, pushing the extending intestine or other tissue back into the abdomen. At that point, the surgeon will elect to repair the weakened or torn muscle by sewing it together or by strengthening the wall by covering the area with a synthetic patch. The open technique is appropriate for people with large hernias or serious abdominal breeches or possibly for people that have had previous pelvic surgery. The procedure is done under a general anesthetic and usually takes an hour. The patient is urged to move about as soon as possible and may take 4-6 weeks before returning to demanding activity.

The Laparoscopic repair is considered to be the easier of the two because of less pain after surgery and quicker return to strenuous activity. Three small incisions are made, one below the navel and two in the lower abdomen where trocars are inserted. Trocars are slender tube devices where a laparoscope and other surgical instruments are inserted. The laparoscope is used for visual manipulation and the instruments are used to pull back the hernia where mesh is placed over the muscular defect with tiny metal staples for security. This procedure usually takes 30 minutes and is done under a general anesthetic. The patient usually goes home two hours later and can resume physical activity after one week.