VERY LOW RECCURENCE AT 5-YEAR FOLLOW AFTER TAPP WITH PRO-GRIP IN 1200 PATIENTS

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to demonstrate the long term safety and the efficacy of the self-gripping Parietex ProGrip™ mesh (Medtronic) used with the laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair. The incidence of chronic pain, post-operative complications, patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence at follow-up after 5 years. Methods Data were collected prospectively using the “hernia-med” register in 1579 primary inguinal hernias. All patients included had undergone surgical repair for inguinal hernia by the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach using Parietex ProGrip™ meshes performed in the same hernia referral center in Germany. Pre-, per- and post-operative data were collected, and a follow-up after one and five years was performed prospectively. Complications, pain scored on a 0–10 numeric rating scale (NRS), patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence were assessed. Results The only complications were minor and were post-operative: hematoma/seroma (3 cases), secondary hemorrhage through the trocar's site (5 cases), hematuria, emphysema in the inguinal regions (both sides) and hematoseroma in 3,2%. The 5 year follow-up rate was 76%, respectively 1205 patients. There were only 14 reports of hernia recurrence: 1.2% of the hernias. Most patients (95.9%) were satisfied or very satisfied with their hernia repair with only 1.2% reporting severe pain (NRS score 7–10) and 3.6% reported mild pain. Conclusion This study demonstrates that in experienced hands, inguinal hernia repair surgery performed by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty using Parietex ProGrip™ self-gripping meshes is rapid, efficient and safe with low pain and low hernia recurrence rate. The promising short term results held true also in the long term follow-up.