Intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair of umbilical hernia was expensive and elicited a number of complications. According to the concept of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approaches, it was possible to obtain good results by laparoscopic preperitoneal placement of the mesh to repair the umbilical hernias.

A total of 9 cases oflaparoscopic totally extraperitoneal posterior rectus abdominisspaces mesh repair for umblical hernias in adults were completed in the general hospital of Shenyang military region from June 2015 to November 2017. The number of male and female was 5 and 4 cases, respectively. The average age was 48.2 (28-70) years. During the surgery, the preperitoneal space and umbilical hernia defects were laparoscopically separated. The mesh was placed in front of the peritoneum posterior rectus abdominisspaces after closed the umbilical hernia defects.

All of the operations were successfully completed. The average operation time was 100 min (73-130 min); and the average day of hospitalization was 1.8 days (1-3 days). Skin of umbilical area necrosis and secondary infection occurred in one case. Seroma occurred in one case. No bleeding, intestinal obstruction, intestinal fistula nor other serious complications occurred in these patients. There were no recurrence and chronic pain found.

It is feasible to repair the umbilical hernia by laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal posterior rectus abdominisspaces mesh repair approaches, and this technique avoids many shortcomings of the IPOM surgery. Further follow-up results should be investigated because of limitednumber of cases and followed up time in this study. This procedure provides new insights into the minimally invasive treatment of umbilical hernia in adults.