Q: Does laparoscopic hernia operation has a potential risk of male impotency, especially in sperm production?

A:There is no risk of impotence after laparoscopic hernia repair which can be attributed to the procedure. However, just as in an open hernia repair, if the surgeon is not skilled there is a slight risk of damage to the vas, which carries the sperms from the testes to the seminal vesicles. Damage or blocking of both vas can result in absence of sperms in the ejaculate. This is however, very uncommon.