This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: An inguinal hernia is a condition where abdominal contents, such as the intestine, bulge through a weakness in an area of the groin called the inguinal canal. As the intestine pushes through this weakness, a hernia sac made from tissue lining the inside of the abdomen, called the peritoneum, surrounds it. The intestine may become trapped, or incarcerated, inside the hernia sac. Over time, its blood supply may be cut off-- leading to strangulation-- where the tissue inside the hernia sac dies. A totally extra peritoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair requires only small keyhole incisions into the abdomen, known as ports. To reach the hernia, the surgeon will insert a tube, called a trocar, through a port located just below your navel, or umbilicus. This instrument will be used to separate the inner abdominal wall from the peritoneum. Then, a balloon surrounding the instrument will be inflated to create a space for the surgeon to work. Next, your surgeon will insert the laparoscope through the umbilical port. Images from its camera will be transmitted to a video monitor in the operating room. Once the working space is created, two additional trocars will be inserted. The surgeon will pass surgical instruments through them. These instruments will be used to separate attachments to the hernia sac, and gently pull it out of the inguinal canal and back into the abdomen. To prevent anything from slipping back through the opening, the surgeon will place a piece of mesh over it and tack it in place. The incisions will be closed with sutures, followed by skin glue, or skin closure tape. [? If ?] there are complications with your laparoscopic procedure, your surgeon will switch to an open procedure with a larger incision.
"For us, the defining feature of effective demonstrative evidence is
whether, by itself, the piece will tell the story of the case. Medical legal
Art provides our firm with illustrations and animations that are clear and
persuasive. Their exhibits tell the story in a way that allows the jury to
understand a very complex subject, very quickly."
James D. Horwitz Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, P.C. Bridgeport, CT
"I have a medical illustration created by Medical Legal Art at the beginning
of every case to tell the client's story, usually before I depose the
defendant doctor. The work product and cost-efficiency are outstanding. It
is a situation where, as a trial lawyer, I don't leave home without it."
Rockne Onstad
Attorney at Law
Austin, TX
"Your firm is great to work with and, most importantly for me, you get the
job done on time and with the utmost professionalism. You should be proud of
all those you employ, from KJ to Ben B. I've been especially pleased over
the years with the work of Brian and Alice, both of whom seem to tolerate my
idiosycratic compulsion to edit, but I've not found a bad apple in the bunch
(and, as you know, I've used your firm a bunch!).
I look forward to our continued professional relationship."
Kenneth J. Allen Kenneth Allen & Associates
Valparaiso, IN
"Our firm was able to settle our case at an all day mediation yesterday and
I am confident that the detail and overall appearance of the medical
illustrations significantly contributed to the settlement. When we require
medical illustrations in the future, I will be sure to contact [MLA]."
Noel Turner, III
Burts, Turner, Rhodes & Thompson
Spartanburg, SC
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.