Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: Clinical features

Abstract

Background: Since the early 1990s, laparoscopic techniques have share the scene on general surgery; the initial operations with laparoscopic inguinal herniorraphy were reported in 1992. Trans-abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal herniorraphy starts with detailed laparoscopic exploration of both inguinal region and intraperitoneal area. Afterwards a second incision perform to the peritoneal layer to minimise the extent of hernia sac and maintain a shield for prosthetic mesh to lay on the other side of inguinal wall on preperitoneal space. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the rates of recurrence and postoperative complications of TAPP procedure.Methods: In this retrospective study 21 cases of inguinal hernia that underwent TAPP procedure included. All cases operated by the same surgical team and with the same surgical technique.Results: Within 4 weeks, 71.4% of the patients reportedly had completely recovered from surgery. By 8weeks, 100% reportedly had complete resolution of postoperative symptoms. No serious intraoperative complications occurred. No cases required conversion to open surgery. In 1 patient (%4.7) urinary retention has occured as the only early postoperative complication. Two patients (%9.5) described numbness without pain in the distribution of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. One patient (%4.7) had mild testicular tenderness. None of these patients required pain medication or other interventions. On the follow-up time no recurrence has occured.Conclusion: In this study we demonstrate the very low rates of TAPP in respect of intra/postoperative complication–especially low rates of inguinal pain-, recurrence and improved time to return daily activities.