OBJECTIVETo discuss the operation skills and evaluate the effects of open total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy for inguinal hernia via a ventral midline incision.

METHODSFrom June 2008 to December 2009, 106 patients with inguinal hernia received open total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy via a ventral midline incision, the clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSOf the patients, 86 cases were male, 20 were female, the mean age was 60.2 years (range, 21 - 86 years). The mean operation time was (32.6 ± 10.5) minutes. The postoperative hospital stay was (2.3 ± 0.7) days. Intra-operative peritoneal perforation occurred in 2 cases. Four cases experienced urine retention and seroma happened in 2 cases, 6 cases suffered early surgical-site pain, and all of the complications were cured with conservative treatment. Three cases developed scrotal hydrocele. No neuralgia or incisional infection occurred in this group. During a 3- to 22-months follow-up period (mean, 10.2 months), no patient complained of discomfort or foreign body sensation in the inguinal area. Two cases recurred 2 and 11 months after the surgery, respectively; the recurrence rate was 1.9%, the two patients healed after reoperation.

CONCLUSIONSOpen total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy operation via a ventral midline incision is a safe, effective and convenient technique for inguinal hernia with few postoperative complications. This method is worth popularizing.