Aim: A presentation of the authors experience and results with theTOM(Transabdominal Onlay Mesh) when using the laparoscopic method for the inguinal hernia treatment. Material and Method: The laparoscopic treatment method of the inguinal hernia has been used in the Centre of the miniinvasive surgery in Podlesí since October 1992. Until September 2003, we had operated 4910 patients, who were treated for 5399 inguinal hernias. From January 1999 to October 2003 we operated 3550 inguinal hernias in 3183 patients using the TOM method (367 hernia cases were bilateral). Results: The average operation time in cases of uncomplicated hernias during unilateral surgical procedures is 21.4 minutes and during bilateral procedures is 31.5 minutes. Complications totaled 1.268% ( peroperative 0.282% and postoperative 0.986%) The average patients age was 51.3 years (17–91). There were 87.8% males and 12.2% females. 96 patients were assigned to the one-day surgery programme. Conclusion: We believe that the use of the TOM method in the laparoscopic treatment of the inguinal hernia is grounded and that, with further development of new prosthetic materials, it will obtain a broader spectrum of applications.

        Key words: inguinal hernia – laparoscopic herniaplasty – TOM – new prosthetic materials