The traditional hernia repair typically involves repairing the abdominal wall with a piece of plastic mesh on the outside of the abdominal wall. Before mesh was used, the defect was sutured closed. Traditional hernia repair most commonly refers to a Lichtenstein or a plug and patch method. This is the most common repair currently performed in the United States. This type of repair was popularized due to the decrease in hernia recurrence as compared to suture only repair. While the Lichtentstein repair remains the most common hernia repair, other methods are gaining popularity. These alternatives to traditional hernia repair include advanced open preperitoneal hernia repair, laparoscopic hernia repair, and shouldice repair.Call (617) 466-3373 or click Contact Us to fill out our online form.