A comparative study between totally extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair techniques

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic groin hernia repair can be done by trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) approach and also by total extra peritoneal (TEP) approach. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and relative efficiency of trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) versus totally extra peritoneal (TEP) techniques of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.Methods: All the patients aged 18 years and above admitted in HBT Hospital undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair were included in this study from June 2014 to January 2016. Diagnosis was made based on history and clinical examination and ultrasound scan of the abdomen. Patients undergoing open hernia surgery and those having contra-indications to laparoscopic hernia repair were excluded from the study. The patients underwent laparoscopic TAPP or laparoscopic TEP repair of hernia based on surgeon’s preference.Results: Total 56 patients were included in the study. It was a non-randomized study, where patients were allocated in TAPP and TEP group based on surgeon’s preference. Hence, 29 patients were included in TAPP group while 27 patients were allocated to TEP group. Post-operatively all patients were evaluated for pain at 6 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 1week, 6 months and 1 year. They were also evaluated for length of hospital stay and any operative site complication like hematoma/seroma, wound/mesh infection, recurrence, port site hernia, persisting numbness. 2 patients in TAPP group and 3 in TEP group were lost to follow up at the end of 1 month. Further 4 patients in TAPP group and 1 patient in TEP group were also lost to follow up at 6 months. Apart from statistically significant difference in pain at 24 hours, which was more in TAPP group than TEP group, we found no other significant difference between the two methods.Conclusions: In this prospective non-randomized study comparing laparoscopic TEP and TAPP repair, for the standard parameters of duration of surgery, conversion, serious adverse event, post-operative pain, local complications, recurrence both locally and port site and length of hospital stay, we had a follow up of 1 year which is adequate for most parameters except recurrence. Our follow up does not allow us to make any conclusion about recurrence. Though the patient numbers are small, our study resonates with the larger studies regarding most parameters. This study leaves us none the wiser as to the superiority of one technique and hence, it is the individual surgeon’s preference and proficiency which dictates the choice of procedure.