A method of laparoscopically introducing a piece of surgical mesh into the abdominal cavity of a patient through a small incision. The mesh is tightly rolled after having traction sutures placed therein and being hydrated. The surgical mesh is pulled into a prelubricated insertion tube having been ligated adjacent its proximal end. A grasper is used to pull mesh into the tube. The tube/mesh is inserted into the abdominal cavity through a small incision. Once inside the abdomen, the insertion tube is split to release the surgical mesh that may then be used in the surgery. Also provided is an insertion tube having a thinned or otherwise weakened region extending along a longitudinal axis thereof. A ripcord extending along the insertion tube from its ligated, proximal end to beyond the distal end is utilized to spilt the insertion tube to facilitate freeing the surgical mesh from within.
