Percutaneous endoscopic external ring hernioplasty using Dundee inguinal canal retractor.

The percutaneous endoscopic external ring (PEER) hernioplasty is a novel technique that uses a minimal access approach to the inguinal canal by the anterior route and reproduces the conventional open tension-free mesh repair. The procedure consists of two stages: an open phase through a 2.5-cm incision over the external ring followed by an endoscopic repair of the defect. During the open stage, the spermatic cord is mobilized from the external ring, blunt finger dissection of the inguinal canal is used to create a space beneath the external oblique aponeurosis, and the hernial sac is dissected down to level of the preperitoneal fascia. The second endoscopic stage is performed after insertion of a telescope-mounted retractor through the external ring. The posterior wall of the inguinal canal is visualized and the hernial defect repaired by a tension-free mesh repair (Lichtenstein onlay mesh repair or mesh plug repair). The procedure provides an anatomic approach that is familiar to general surgeons. In a pilot study, the authors have established that the PEER hernioplasty is an easily learned, safe, and cost-effective operation that offers the benefits of minimal access surgery in terms of patient recovery and early return to work, and can be performed as a day case under local or regional anesthesia.