An improved composite prosthesis for laparoscopic repair of inguinal or femoral hernias, and also for the laparoscopic repair of large incisional ventral hernias incorporates two different layers, namely an upper layer made of polypropylene mesh to promote tissue ingrowth, and a lower layer formed with an adhesion barrier material to prevent adhesions to the intestines. Both layers are secured together with a highly visible dark seam at the perimeter of the prosthesis to assist the surgeon in visualizing the peripheral edge. The lower layer is slightly larger than the polypropylene mesh so there is an adhesion barrier edge around the prosthesis to conceal the edges of the polypropylene mesh. The upper layer includes a guiding cone to facilitate placement of the prosthesis at the exact center of the hernial defect. The base of this cone is attached to the central part of the prosthesis, and the apex of the cone will be attached later to a guiding thread that is inserted to from the outside of the abdomen using a long straight needle through the skin and hernial sac. Furthermore the laparoscopic hernia prosthesis lower layer is provided with a bounding rim to guide the tip of the spiral tacker to the very edges of the prosthesis in order to stretch the prosthesis in place, and also to conceal the staples or tacks.
