The Totally Extraperitoneal Repair (TEP) is a keyhole technique for inguinal hernia repair.    With this technique hernias are repaired using a piece of mesh which is placed behind the muscle of the abdominal wall.

The principle advantages of this technique over open surgery are:

   Less post operative pain

   A quicker recovery

   Faster return to full physical activity.

The TEP repair differs from the TAP in that the abdominal cavity is not entered with the laparoscope. 
All the surgery is performed in the layers outside the peritoneum. 
The risk of bowel injury is therefore less with this technique.

The TEP repair is particularly recommended for the repair of bilateral inguinal hernias and recurrent inguinal hernias.  The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia (Asleep).  Three small incisions are made in the midline between the umbilicus and the pubic bone.

Complications that can occur

Pain
Bleeding
Wound infection
Mesh infection
Scar
Difficulty passing urine
Atrophy of the testicle
Hernia recurrence