The site of the deep inguinal ring was marked midway between the anterior superior iliac spine and the pubic tubercle (see Inguinal Anatomy. The incision was made 3cm above the inguinal canal.

The skin was opened with a scalpel and bleeding points in the subdermal plexus were cauterized. Subcutaneous tissue was opened carefully with blend current down to the level of Scarpa's fascia where the superficial epigastric vessels were identified, clamped, ligated and divided.

The external oblique aponeurosis and superficial inguinal ring were exposed. Note the intracrural fibers bridging the medial and lateral crura of the superficial ring.