Clinical application of 3DMax patch in the laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair：a report of 68 cases CHEN Dan-lei，LI Ji-hui, ZHENG Cheng-zhu，et al. Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China Corresponding author：ZHENG Cheng-zhu，E-mail: fredzhengzz@hotmail.com Abstract Objective To evaluate the clinical value of 3DMax patch in the laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Methods The clinical data of 68 cases of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using 3DMax patch between October 2006 and July 2008 at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Changhai Hospital of the Second Military Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among 68 cases, 4, 45 and 16 cases were stype Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅲ respectively. Fifty-three, 13 and 2 cases were indirect hernia, direct hernia and Cloguet's hernia respectively. Sixty-seven cases were performed laparoscopic repair successfully. TAPP and TEP were performed in 19 and 48 cases. One case was converted to open surgery due to difficulty to draw back the omenta inside the hernia sac. The operation time was from 30 to 65min with the mean of 40min. The mean time of post-operation hospital stay was 2 days. Scrotum seroma was occurred in 2 cases. Small bowel obstruction reoperation was performed in 1 case. No recurrence was found during the follow-up period of 3-24 months. Conclusion Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has the advantage of minor injury, quicker recovery and lower recurrence rate compared with open surgery. The application of 3DMax patch makes the operative procedure more convenient, and makes the complication incidence more lower.