A tool for inserting a mesh prosthesis into the retroperitoneal space in the laparoscopic repair of inquinal and femoral herniae is set forth which includes a housing having an axially extending passageway therethrough and a carriage member slidingly and telescopically carried by the housing and extending into the passageway. The carriage member has a holding chamber adjacent its distal end for holding the mesh prosthesis in a radially overlapped wound position. An axially extending slot in the carriage member communicates with the holding chamber to permit radial unwinding and passage of the mesh prosthesis from the holding chamber into the retroperitoneal space. The carriage member is slidably and rotatably mounted to the housing to permit axial extension and retraction of the holding chamber from the passageway into and from the retroperitoneal space.