Visual course of anatomical landmarks around the internal inguinal ring as a guide for horizon adjustment in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

PURPOSE: During laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the inferior epigastric vessels (IEVs), vas deferens, and spermatic vessels are often used as landmarks for horizon adjustment during camera navigation. The present study investigated the visual angle of landmarks around the internal inguinal ring using recorded video clips.

METHODS

The angle of the IEVs, vas deferens, spermatic vessels, and the degree of lateral tilt of the scope were measured using a video clip. The angle of the median line of the vas deferens and spermatic vessels (MVS) was also calculated.

RESULTS

Between 2018 and 2022, 70 inguinal hernia lesions underwent robot-assisted inguinal hernia repair. Under adjustment according to lateral tilt of the scope, the mean angles of the IEVs and MVS were 14.1° laterally (SD = 15.9°) and -1.5° medially (SD = 15.8°), respectively.

CONCLUSION

The IEVs and MVS do not always adopt an absolutely vertical course, and some structures run obliquely. The angles of the IEVs and MVS should, therefore, be confirmed at the beginning of the operation to guide horizon adjustment.