Repair of inguinal hernia.

England, c.198?

1 positive film reel (05 mins.) : silent; colour

More material relating to the Graves Medical Audiovisual Library is in the Wellcome Library reference SA/GMR.

One of several films created as a result of the research work carried out by F. T. (Frederick Thomas) Graves between 1952 and 1986 at University College Hospital, Kings College Hospital and Staffordshire General Infirmary. F. T. Graves was the brother of John Graves (1923-1980) who set up the Graves Medical Audiovisual Library with his wife Valerie.

From accompanying notes: 'Incision of skin and subcutaneous fat. - Display of aponeurosis of external oblique muscle - incision of aponeurosis down to external ring to display the spermatic cord. - Opening of cord by scissor dissection - care of inguinal nerve display of white edge of the hernia sac. In this case the hernia was a direct hernia so that boundaries of its protrusion through the posterior wall of the inguinal canal were defined and dissected free. - The hernia (mostly fat) was returned to the abdomen. - The cord is separated from the posterior wall of the inguinal canal and is retracted out of the way with ring forceps. The previously defined edges of the "hole" in the posterior wall are brought together and closed with catgut sutures leaving enough space for the cord to emerge without constriction. - The aponeurosis of the external oblique muscle is not lifted, retracted and separated from the fibrous part of the internal oblique muscle which covers the anterior surface of the rectus muscle. A curved incision is made in the internal oblique muscle, this exposing the rectus muscle. This incision reduces tension when a pull is made on the Conjoint tendon and so now the latter is taken behind the cord and sutured to the inner surface of the inguinal ligament. Finally the incision in the external oblique aponeurosis is closed with interrupted sutures.'

Wellcome Trust 2016