A method of laparoscopically repairing a hernia defect comprises inserting into the patient's abdomen a surgical mesh sheet larger than the hernia defect and having a fixation fin with its proximal edge attached to a surface of the sheet. The mesh sheet is manipulated into position with the sheet surface in place at the peritoneal surface of the patient's abdominal wall and the fixation fin disposed in the hernia defect. The method reapproximates opposing edges of the defect by suturing them together with the fixation fin between them, after which the distal edge of the fixation fin is below the external surface of the patient's abdomen. The sheet is then laparoscopically positioned and anchored to the abdominal wall peritoneal surface.