Fig. 2

a A Pfannenstiel incision was made 1–2 cm above the pubic symphysis and the lateral window used in the ilioinguinal approach but ended just at 1–2 cm lateral to the contour of the femoral artery. b Subperiosteal separation of the femoral vascular and the iliopsoas muscles together with the femoral nerve were performed using a blunt periosteal elevator. c The spermatic cord or round ligament was protected with a urinary catheter. The pre-bending plate was inserted through the subperiosteal “tunnel” between the two windows