Transabdominal Preperitoneal Patch Plasty (TAPP): Standard Technique and Specific Risks

About 25 years after the first description of a reliable technique in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair [1], the penetration rate of this new technique is still below 20% in most countries. The reasons for the slow acceptance of laparoscopic hernioplasty are firstly that the technique is estimated as difficult and time demanding, secondly that life-threatening complications are feared, and thirdly that higher costs in comparison to open surgery are expected. Most of these concerns date back to the early days of laparoscopic surgery. Meanwhile knowledge and skills have increased enormously. It is well proven that using a strictly standardized technique and being well trained, laparoscopic hernia repair may be simple, safe, and cheap to perform.