Balloon dissection of the space of Bogros via the femoral canal for total extraperitoneal laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.

To obviate the need for general anesthesia or dissection of the rectus sheath, we have transferred laparoscopic herniorrhaphy back to the groin by first dissecting the suprainguinal parietoperitoneal space of Bogros via the femoral canal. Cadaver dissections demonstrated that the preperitoneal plane could be routinely fingered and distended with a digitally placed balloon introduced through a 1-cm incision immediately below the inguinal ligament. A 10-mm femoral laparoscopic port was then inserted and pressurized, allowing two standard 5-mm ports to be introduced from above, through the lower quadrant, under vision. The procedure was then carried out in the usual way, the mesh being inserted from below. Ten patients (two women), 23-73 years old, selected because general anesthesia was inadvisable, underwent uncomplicated prosthetic repair of unilateral (eight) or bilateral (two) inguinal defects. Half of the peritoneal sacs were pushed up and out of the inguinal canal; 18 months later there were no recurrences (inguinal or femoral). Preliminary experience with this new technique is promising. It may prove applicable to retroperitoneal exposure of the distal aorta and iliac vessels, allowing laparoscopic bypass for Leriche syndrome.