A hernia is a weak spot in the wall of a body cavity that allows internal organs to push through. The most common hernias occur in the abdominal wall. An inguinal hernia occurs in the groin region, while a ventral hernia occurs in another part of the abdomen.

Hernioplasty is the surgical repair of a hernia, performed using one of two main approaches. An open (non-laparoscopic) hernia repair involves making a larger incision to allow the surgeon to see and manipulate the tissues directly. In contrast, a laparoscopic hernia repair uses several small incisions through which a light and camera are inserted to provide a view inside the abdomen.

In general, laparoscopic hernioplasty offers a shorter recovery time and a lower risk of complications, making it the preferred approach. However, there are cases where laparoscopic repair may not be suitable. If the bowel is incarcerated or strangulated, an open repair is required. Recurrent or very large hernias are also often addressed with an open procedure.

Hernia recurrence, which occurs when a previously repaired hernia reopens, is relatively common. Approximately 20% of hernias recur within ten years. To reduce the risk of recurrence, mesh is often placed during hernioplasty to strengthen the repaired abdominal wall. These meshes are typically made of flexible synthetic material and remain in place to help prevent the weak spot from reopening.