Approximately 350,000-500,000 ventral hernia repairs are performed each year in the United States. Many are performed by the conventional “open” method. Some are performed laparoscopically. If your surgeon has recommended a laparoscopic repair, this brochure can help you understand what a hernia is and more about the treatment. When a ventral hernia occurs, it usually arises in the abdominal wall where a previous surgical incision was made. In this area the abdominal muscles have weakened; this results in a bulge or a tear. In the same way that an inner tube pushes through a damaged tire, the inner lining of the abdomen pushes through the weakened area of the abdominal wall to form a balloon-like sac. This can allow a loop of intestines or other abdominal contents to push into the sac. If the abdominal contents get stuck within the sac, they can become trapped or “incarcerated.” This could lead to potentially serious problems that might require emergency surgery. Other sites that ventral hernias can develop are the belly button (umbilicus) or any other area of the abdominal wall. A hernia does not get better over time, nor will it go away by itself.