The Effect of Absorbable vs. Non-absorbable Fixation on Early Complications in Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Inguinal Herniorrhaphy

Abstract

Objective : This study has compared the postoperative pain, scrotal edema, seroma, bleeding or other complications between two patient groups getting laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) herniorrhaphy and where absorbable and non-absorbable fixations (3/0 prolene suture) were used in mesh fixation compared with such complications as hematoma, urinary retention, and recurrence. Materials and Methods : 44 male patients getting laparoscopic TAPP herniorrhaphy method were included in this study. According to the material used for mesh fixation, they were divided into two groups getting absorbable or non-absorbable fixations. The age, gender, hernia type and direction according to the Nyhus Classification , and the fixation material used intraoperatively were all recorded for patients. 1st week, 1st month and 6th month postoperative checks were made. Early complications at the postoperative period were compared between groups. Patients gave written and informed consent before surgery. Findings : Of the 44 patients, absorbable fixation devices were placed in 27 and non-absorbable ones in 17. At the 1st week follow-up, scrotal edema was diagnosticated in 3 patients in the absorbable group and in 2 in the non-absorbable ; seroma in 5 patients in the absorbable group and in 2 in the non-absorbable ; mild pain in 3 patients in the absorbable group and in 5 in the non-absorbable. A significant relationship was not statistiscally found between the presence or absence of scrotal edema, or of seroma, pain intensity and the fixation material used (p>0.05). Conclusion : A significant difference was not found when early complications were statistically compared between the patients getting laparoscopic TAPP herniorrhaphy and having used absorbable and non-absorbable fixation devices. It seems both fixation materials can be used safely.