Specialist Overview: Choosing the Optimal Surgical Pathway
The choice between open and laparoscopic hernia repair is dictated by the patient’s anatomy, hernia history, and the presence of bilateral or recurrent defects. Open repair uses an anterior approach, providing direct tactile feedback and allowing for specialized multi-layer tissue reconstruction (No-Mesh). Laparoscopic repair uses a posterior approach via “keyhole” incisions, which is highly effective for repairing hernias on both sides simultaneously or when navigating scar tissue from a previous surgery.