MODEL RELEASED. Hernia operation. Surgeons performing laparoscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) to repair a hernia in a patient's abdomen. The laparoscope, an endoscope used to view inside the abdomen, is the silver instrument at upper right. The surgical procedure is performed by the implements (black) inserted through other holes in the abdomen. A hernia is the abnormal protrusion of an organ or tissue through an opening. Photographed in the UK.