A new technique for extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia.

Abstract Background Open inguinal hernia repair (OIHR) carries serious risks without providing contralateral visualization. Methods We compared OIHR ( n  = 363) with single-port laparoscopic extracorporeal hernia ligation with a modified cannula (SLELmc; n  = 1514), in which the processus vaginalis (PV) was ligated extracorporeally with our modified cannula via the umbilicus. Results Operating times were shorter with SLELmc than with OIHR (unilateral and bilateral, P versus OIHR 41.0 ± 7.5 mo; P  = 0.071). The incidence of complications was lower after SLELmc (59 of 1514; 3.9%) than OIHR (82 of 363; 22.6%; P Conclusions SLELmc enables fast, effective PV closure and permits detection of concealed hernias.