Endoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Research Articles

Laparoscopic TAPP to treat inguinal hernia. Is the robot preferable? A review and cohort-study on anatomical landmarks of robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal groin hernia repair (r-TAPP)

In this review, the advantages of the robotic platform in rTAPP are presented and discussed. Against the background of the unchanged results of conventional TAPP for decades (approx. 10% chronic pain and approx. 3.5% recurrence), a new anatomy-guided concept for endoscopic inguinal hernia repair with the robot is presented. The focus is on the identification of Hesselbach's ligament. The current results give hope that the results of TAPP can be improved by rTAPP and that rTAPP is not just a more expensive version of conventional TAPP. To support the rationale presented here, we analyzed 132 video recordings of rTAPP's for the anatomical structures depicted therein. The main finding is, that in all cases (132/132 or 100%) Hesselbach's ligament was present and following its lateral continuity with the ileopubic tract offered a safe framework to develop all the critical anatomical structures for clearing the myopectineal orifice, repair the posterior wall of the groin and perform a flawless mesh fixation. Future studies are needed to integrate all the resources of the robotic platform into an rTAPP concept that will lead out of the stalemate of the indisputably high rate of chronic pain and recurrences.

Laparoscopic TAPP to treat inguinal hernia. Is the robot preferable? A review and cohort-study on anatomical landmarks of robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal groin hernia repair (r-TAPP)

In this review, the advantages of the robotic platform in rTAPP are presented and discussed. Against the background of the unchanged results of conventional TAPP for decades (approx. 10% chronic pain and approx. 3.5% recurrence), a new anatomy-guided concept for endoscopic inguinal hernia repair with the robot is presented. The focus is on the identification of Hesselbach's ligament. The current results give hope that the results of TAPP can be improved by rTAPP and that rTAPP is not just a more expensive version of conventional TAPP. To support the rationale presented here, we analyzed 132 video recordings of rTAPP's for the anatomical structures depicted therein. The main finding is, that in all cases (132/132 or 100%) Hesselbach's ligament was present and following its lateral continuity with the ileopubic tract offered a safe framework to develop all the critical anatomical structures for clearing the myopectineal orifice, repair the posterior wall of the groin and perform a flawless mesh fixation. Future studies are needed to integrate all the resources of the robotic platform into an rTAPP concept that will lead out of the stalemate of the indisputably high rate of chronic pain and recurrences.

Risk factors predicting acute postoperative pain immediately after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.

Acute postoperative pain remains one of the most common problems, even after laparoscopic or endoscopic hernia repair. Avoiding predictive factors for acute pain after surgery or prescribing additional analgesia for a patient who has risk factors that cannot be removed can be one of the options to reduce acute postoperative pain. However, there is a lack of clinical studies that evaluate the predictive factors of postoperative pain after transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) surgeries. To identify independent risk factors predicting pain after laparoscopic and endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. A prospective, randomized clinical trial was carried out by randomising patients into 2 groups (TAPP and TEP). Pre-operative and peri-operative findings were recorded. Postoperative pain was evaluated 3 h after the surgery using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Groups of patients who felt mild pain (VAS 0-2) and patients who felt average or severe pain (VAS 3-10) were compared. A total of 132 male patients were included in the study. Disease duration of more than 1 year, smoking, and TAPP surgery significantly increase the risk of moderate and strong pain 3 h after surgery. Conversely, shorter duration of symptoms and physical occupation decrease the risk of acute pain score greater than 3 according to the VAS. The study shows that the duration since groin hernia appearance, smoking, physical occupation, and TAPP technique are possible predictive factors for acute postoperative pain after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. We suggest that for patients who have those predictors, some factors can be avoided or additional analgesia can be used.

Unsuspected femoral hernias diagnosed during endoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

The laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP), unlike the Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair, allows for inspecting the femoral canal area for the presence of an occult femoral hernia. To determine the incidence of an unsuspected femoral hernia in patients undergoing TEP repair. Data was collected prospectively from 180 patients (23 women) who underwent hernia repair, including examination of the femoral canal, between November 2017 and March 2019, and the incidence of a femoral hernia was determined. Correlations between the incidence of a femoral hernia and sex, age and the type of inguinal hernia diagnosed in the patients (indirect, direct, both indirect and direct) were assessed. Femoral hernias were found in 14 patients (7.77%). None of the hernias had previously been detected clinically. The incidence of a femoral hernia was higher in women (6/23, 26.07%) than in men (8/157, 5.09%). The incidence of a femoral hernia was higher in older patients: the average age of patients with a femoral hernia was 57.86 years (median: 60 years), whereas the average age of patients without a femoral hernia was 49.92 years (median: 49 years). However, the correlation was not statistically significant. No correlation was found between the incidence of a femoral hernia and the type of inguinal hernia diagnosed in the patients (direct, indirect, both indirect and direct). The TEP repair allows for detecting and repairing an occult femoral hernia.

Transrectal penetration of mesh after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair: An unusual delayed complication complication: A case report

Transrectal penetration of mesh after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair: An unusual delayed complication complication: A case report

Learning inguinal hernia repair? A survey of current practice and of preferred methods of surgical residents

PurposeDuring surgical residency, many learning methods are available to learn an inguinal hernia repair (IHR). This study aimed to investigate which learning methods are most commonly used and which are perceived as most important by surgical residents for open and endoscopic IHR.MethodsEuropean general surgery residents were invited to participate in a 9-item web-based survey that inquired which of the learning methods were used (checking one or more of 13 options) and what their perceived importance was on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = completely not important to 5 = very important).ResultsIn total, 323 residents participated. The five most commonly used learning methods for open and endoscopic IHR were apprenticeship style learning in the operation room (OR) (98% and 96%, respectively), textbooks (67% and 49%, respectively), lectures (50% and 44%, respectively), video-demonstrations (53% and 66%, respectively) and journal articles (54% and 54%, respectively). The three most important learning methods for the open and endoscopic IHR were participation in the OR [5.00 (5.00–5.00) and 5.00 (5.00–5.00), respectively], video-demonstrations [4.00 (4.00–5.00) and 4.00 (4.00–5.00), respectively], and hands-on hernia courses [4.00 (4.00–5.00) and 4.00 (4.00–5.00), respectively].ConclusionThis study demonstrated a discrepancy between learning methods that are currently used by surgical residents to learn the open and endoscopic IHR and preferred learning methods. There is a need for more emphasis on practising before entering the OR. This would support surgical residents’ training by first observing, then practising and finally performing the surgery in the OR.

Non-Descended Testicle Presenting as an Inguinal Hernia

Background: An inguinal hernia is one of the most common surgical diagnosis worldwide and the most frequent anomaly of the groin area. Cryptorchidism, the failure of the testes to descend into the scrotum, is also a prevalent congenital abnormality, with a reported incidence of 1% to 2% at 12 months of age. However, it is rarely diagnosed in adult men. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 63-year-old male who presented to the Emergency Department with severe left-sided groin pain since a couple of days. A bulge in the left groin was visibly obvious and was painful but reducible. An inguinal hernia was diagnosed, and since the patient had no previous (abdominal) surgery, he was scheduled for a totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Per-operatively, an indirect inguinal hernia was initially seen; however, after further dissection and displacement of the peritoneal fold cranially, it became clear that the alleged hernia was the left testis situated in the preperitoneal space. The testis was surgically brought out through the inguinal canal. A preperitoneal mesh was placed. Conclusion: In case of a painful and reducible inguinal swelling that occurs in a patient with an empty hemiscrotum, surgeons must consider the possibility of an undescended testis.

Positioning of mesh implants in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair

To improve the results of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair by determining the optimal access to inguinal region and method of positioning of the mesh implant. There were 221 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent 278 operations. We formed 2 groups: the main group A consisted of 92 (41.6%) patients who underwent extraperitoneal interventions (TEP/e-TEP); the control group B - 129 (58.4%) patients after transabdominal surgery (TAPP). In each group, 3 subgroups were identified depending on the method of mesh implant positioning: subgroups A1 and B1 - stapler reduced fixation at 1-3 points, subgroups A2 and B2 - glue fixation, subgroups A3 and B3 - vacuum positioning without fixation. Acute, chronic pain syndrome and quality of life were evaluated using visual-analogue scale (VAS), Short-Form Inguinal Pain Questionnaire (sf-IPQ) and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. All interventions were completed in minimally invasive fashion. Regression of acute pain syndrome after 3, 24, 48, 72 hours and 7 days was as follows: in group A - from 3.39±0.37 to 0.53±0.18 scores, in group B - from 4.47±0.34 to 0.94±0.24 scores. The lowest values were observed in subgroups with non-invasive positioning (p<0.05). Chronic pain syndrome was evaluated by all patients as less than 2 scores in 6 months after surgery. SF-36 values after 6 months ranged from 78±1.5 to 92±1.0 at TEP/e-TEP and from 75±1.6 to 92±1.1 at TAPP. Between-group and within-group differences were not significant (p>0.05). Control examination within 0.5-2 years was performed in 189 (85.5%) patients. No relapses were detected. E-TEP technology is a priority. Glue fixation increases the congruence of mesh implants with inguinal region due to enlarged area of immobilization. This ensures safety and reliability of hernia repair, comfort for patients.

Inguinal Hernias Repair by Laparascopy. Repair of Inguinal Hernias by Laparascopy

Since the concept of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair was first described by Ger R [1] in 1982, the endoscopic techniques are gone modifying, going through a time when failures and complications -united to high cost-exceeded initial enthusiasm [2].

Postoperative bleeding complications after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair in patients receiving anticoagulation agents, antiplatelet agents, or both.

In patients receiving chronic anticoagulation agents, antiplatelet agents, or both, perioperative antithrombotic therapy for inguinal hernia repair requires an understanding of potential side-effects-specifically, the postoperative bleeding risks. In the present study, we evaluated postoperative bleeding complications after transabdominal preperitoneal patch plasty (TAPP) in patients undergoing antithrombotic therapy. We retrospectively reviewed 413 patients who had undergone TAPP between February 2013 and June 2017. Individuals in the antithrombotic group received one of three regimens of perioperative antithrombotic therapy. The clinical indications for chronic anticoagulation agents (ie bridging therapy with unfractionated heparin), antiplatelet agents (ie continuation of aspirin), or both were followed. The antithrombotic group was compared to the control group in terms of surgical outcomes. We primarily focused on the incidence of postoperative bleeding complications. A total of 83 patients received antithrombotic therapy. We observed significant differences between the groups in terms of mean age, ASA physical status, and length of postoperative stay. In contrast, postoperative complications were not significantly different between the antithrombotic and control groups (4.8% vs 5.5%, P = 0.818). In addition, a significantly greater postoperative bleeding rate was not observed in the antithrombotic group than in the control group (1.2% vs 0.6%, P = 0.566). Likewise, other complications were similar in both groups. Antithrombotic therapy is not a risk factor for postoperative bleeding complications in patients who have undergone TAPP, suggesting its safety and efficacy in this patient population. Indeed, this group has the same incidence rates of morbidity and postoperative bleeding complications as patients who have not undergone antithrombotic therapy.

Experience with the PINQ-PHONE telephone questionnaire for detection of recurrences after endoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

The PINQ-PHONE is a 4-question telephone questionnaire designed and validated as a recurrence detection method after laparo-endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The study aim was to evaluate the PINQ-PHONE by describing our experience with the questionnaire in a high-volume randomized-controlled trial. The PINQ-PHONE was performed 5years postoperatively after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. Positive PINQ-PHONE responses were compared with clinical assessments for a recurrence. An "experience with the PINQ-PHONE"-survey was conducted among the executing researchers. Furthermore, positive predictive values (PPV) for the separate questions and overall PINQ-PHONE were determined. Fifty-two of 769 responding patients (6.8%) had positive PINQ-PHONE responses and were invited to visit the outpatient clinic, thus preventing follow-up visits in 93.2% of included patients. Two recurrences were detected (0.3%). The overall PPV of the PINQ-PHONE was low (0.057). The PPV of question 1 (0.040) and 2 (0.100) was lower than that of question 3 (0.222) and 4 (0.286). The PPV of only question 3 and 4 combined was 0.183, and no recurrence would have been missed. The researcher survey unanimously produced that the PINQ-PHONE was user-friendly and executed in < 5min, and questions 3 and 4 were considered adequate for recurrence detection. The majority found questions 1 and 2 to be inadequate questions. The PINQ-PHONE proved to be a valuable tool in TEP repair follow-up for recurrences. Enhancement of the PINQ-PHONE using only question 3 and 4 is recommended, since more patients refrain from outpatient clinic visits, and nevertheless, recurrences are safely detected.

Evaluation of recurrence and postoperative pain in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair with mesh fixation verses without mesh fixation

Background: Inguinal hernia affects both men and women but is much more common in men who comprise over 90% of operated patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether elimination of tacking the mesh during endoscopic inguinal hernia repair results in decreased postoperative pain or complications, or both, without increasing the incidence of hernia recurrence.Methods: Patients age between 18 to 70 yrs, willing for laparoscopic surgery, suitable for elective laparoscopic surgery were included in the study. TEP or TAPP endoscopic inguinal hernia repairs would be performed with the patient under general anesthesia. Data collection have done by using a structured pre-prepared case performa. The patient evaluated both by radiological and laboratory investigations both pre-operatively and post-operatively.Results: There is no major significant difference in pain at 1 month after operation in both the group. Recurrence was higher among patient having mesh fixation and it was not statistically significant. Wound infection was occurring more among without fixation group and it was not statistically significant. Urinary retention was reported more among without fixation group and it was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Thus, it was concluded that there is no significant difference in recurrence rate in the both study group either with fixation or without fixation. There is no significant difference in pain at one month in the both study group either with fixation or without fixation. There is more pain (visual analogue scale more than two) at three months after operation in fixation group as compared to without fixation group. There is also high cost in fixation group as compared to without fixation group.

Day Surgery for Endoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair

Whereas international guidelines recommend day surgery for endoscopic inguinal hernia repair, this approach is still controversial in Germany. In the light of international guidelines and at the request of patients, we have established total extraperitoneal patch plastic (TEP) surgery in the outpatient setting in our hospital. A retrospective analysis of all unilateral TEP procedures carried out between January 2013 and December 2015 in our outpatient surgery, focused on postoperative complications, conversion to admission and rate of recurrence. Patient satisfaction with the outpatient setting was evaluated by telephone interview. In the 3 year period analysed, 164 patients were admitted for day surgery. Outpatient surgery was carried out in 152 patients, whereas 12 patients had to be admitted overnight due to circulatory disturbance, pain or bleeding. A total of 102 patients could be questioned for follow-up. Hematoma developed in 9 patients, and recurrence of hernia in 3 patients. Infections or seromas were not described or detected. 88 patients were very satisfied with the outpatient procedure, and 82 patients would clearly prefer day surgery again. Unilateral endoscopic hernia repair is safe and can be performed in the outpatient setting without increased risk. Satisfaction and acceptance by the patients is high. There is a dramatic difference between day surgery and inpatient procedure in the costs for hernia repair and this is one of the major reasons why outpatient endoscopic hernia repair is still rare in Germany.

Bilateral endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair does not impair male fertility.

Endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair with polypropylene mesh has become a well-established technique. However, since the mesh is placed in close contact with the spermatic cord, mesh-induced inflammation may affect its structures, possibly resulting in impaired fertility. The aim of this observational prospective cohort study was to assess fertility after bilateral endoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair in male patients. Fifty-seven male patients (22-60years old) with primary, reducible, bilateral inguinal hernias underwent elective bilateral endoscopic TEP hernia repair with use of polypropylene mesh. The primary outcome was testicular perfusion; secondary outcomes were testicular volume, endocrinological status, and semen quality. All patients were assessed preoperatively and 6months postoperatively. Follow-up was completed in 44 patients. No statistically significant differences in measurements of testicular blood flow parameters or testicular volume were found. Postoperative LH levels were significantly higher [preoperative median 4.3IU/L (IQR 3.4-5.3) versus postoperative median 5.0IU/L (IQR 3.6-6.5), p=0.03]. Levels of inhibin B were significantly lower postoperatively [preoperative median 139.0ng/L (IQR 106.5-183.0) versus postoperative median 27.0ng/L (IQR 88.3-170.9), p=0.01]. No significant changes in FSH or testosterone levels were observed. There were no differences in semen quality. Our data suggest that bilateral endoscopic TEP hernia repair with polypropylene mesh does not impair fertility, as no differences in testicular blood flow, testicular volume, or semen quality were observed. Postoperative levels of LH and inhibin B differed significantly from preoperative measurements, yet no clinical relevance could be ascribed to these findings.

Methodical endoscopic repair of congenital indirect inguinoscrotal hernia in adult male patients with completely patent processus vaginalis.

Indirect inguinal hernia related to the presence of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in adult is estimated to be around 15%. Most surgeons would favor a standard anterior hernioplasty to minimize the potential risk of damaging the spermatic cord structures that are always intimately fused to the congenital peritoneal sac. This also means overlooking the potential benefit of alternative posterior techniques such as endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair that is known to offer faster recovery with reduced risk of developing chronic groin pain. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of TEP approach for repair of adult inguinoscrotal hernias associated with completely PPV and to compare those results with a corresponding group of male patients undergoing an identical procedure, but with no demonstrated PPV. This is a prospective study of consecutive male patients diagnosed with inguinal hernia during a 10-year period and eligible for endoscopic TEP repair. Every recognized completely PPV were systematically divided taking care not to damage the attached cord structures and the proximal end closed with a pre-tied Endoloop of PDS. In both groups, all meshes were secured with fibrin sealant only. Patients were reviewed in clinic 2 and 6weeks after the operation. Further follow-up was scheduled if deemed necessary. The primary post-operative outcome parameter was spermatic cord injury; secondary outcome parameters included groin pain, surgical complications, and recurrence. Nine hundred and thirty-nine hernia repairs were prospectively recorded during this period. All procedures were carried out endoscopically. A total of 41 patients with a median age of 27years presented with 43 inguinoscrotal hernias (two bilateral) related to the presence of a congenital completely PPV. 72% of them were right-sided. No injury to the cord structures was recorded and only one complication (2.4%) occurred at 1week post-operatively that was unrelated to the PPV. There was no report of chronic groin or testicular pain, symptomatic seroma formation, or hernia recurrence. By comparison, out of the 608 patients representing the no PPV group, there were 35 complications out of 33 patients (5.4%), one of those requiring subsequent laparoscopic revision. Only one early post-operative recurrence was recorded in this group (0.15%). In the presence of a completely PPV, the recognized benefit of a posterior approach, such as endoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair, outweighs the theoretical risk of damaging the spermatic cord structures when dissecting and dividing the congenital hernia sac. This technique should be the preferred option among expert laparoscopic surgeons.

Mesh fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair: evaluation of methodology based on a systematic review of randomised clinical trials.

The issue of mesh fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair is frequently debated and still no conclusive data exist on differences between methods regarding long-term outcome and postoperative complications. The quantity of trials and the simultaneous lack of high-quality evidence raise the question how future trials should be planned. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched, using the filters "randomised clinical trials" and "humans". Trials that compared one method of mesh fixation with another fixation method or with non-fixation in endoscopic inguinal hernia repair were eligible. To be included, the trial was required to have assessed at least one of the following primary outcome parameters: recurrence; surgical site infection; chronic pain; or quality-of-life. Fourteen trials assessing 2161 patients and 2562 hernia repairs were included. Only two trials were rated as low risk for bias. Eight trials evaluated recurrence or surgical site infection; none of these could show significant differences between methods of fixation. Two of 11 trials assessing chronic pain described significant differences between methods of fixation. One of two trials evaluating quality-of-life showed significant differences between fixation methods in certain functions. High-quality evidence for differences between the assessed mesh fixation techniques is still lacking. From a socioeconomic and ethical point of view, it is necessary that future trials will be properly designed. As small- and medium-sized single-centre trials have proven unable to find answers, register studies or multi-centre studies with an evident focus on methodology and study design are needed in order to answer questions about mesh fixation in inguinal hernia repair.

Does surgeon volume matter in the outcome of endoscopic inguinal hernia repair?

IntroductionFor open and endoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, it has been demonstrated that low-volume surgeons with fewer than 25 and 30 procedures, respectively, per year are associated with significantly more recurrences than high-volume surgeons with 25 and 30 or more procedures, respectively, per year. This paper now explores the relationship between the caseload and the outcome based on the data from the Herniamed Registry.Patients and methodsThe prospective data of patients in the Herniamed Registry were analyzed using the inclusion criteria minimum age of 16 years, male patient, primary unilateral inguinal hernia, TEP or TAPP techniques and availability of data on 1-year follow-up. In total, 16,290 patients were enrolled between September 1, 2009, and February 1, 2014. Of the participating surgeons, 466 (87.6 %) had carried out fewer than 25 endoscopic/laparoscopic operations (low-volume surgeons) and 66 (12.4 %) surgeons 25 or more operations (high-volume surgeons) per year.ResultsUnivariable (1.03 vs. 0.73 %; p = 0.047) and multivariable analysis [OR 1.494 (1.065–2.115); p = 0.023] revealed that low-volume surgeons had a significantly higher recurrence rate compared with the high-volume surgeons, although that difference was small. Multivariable analysis also showed that pain on exertion was negatively affected by a lower caseload <25 [OR 1.191 (1.062–1.337); p = 0.003]. While here, too, the difference was small, the fact that in that group there was a greater proportion of patients with small hernia defect sizes may have also played a role since the risk in that group was higher. In this analysis, no evidence was found that pain at rest [OR 1.052 (0.903–1.226); p = 0.516] or chronic pain requiring treatment [OR 1.108 (0.903–1.361); p = 0.326] were influenced by the surgeon volume.SummaryAs confirmed by previously published studies, the data in the Herniamed Registry also demonstrated that the endoscopic/laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery caseload impacted the outcome. However, given the overall high-quality level the differences between a “low-volume” surgeon and a “high-volume” surgeon were small. That was due to the use of a standardized technique, structured training as well as continuous supervision of trainees and surgeons with low annual caseload.

Meshfixation in open and endoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Unfortunately, neither new operation techniques nor advancements in mesh development could change the fact that chronic pain remains the most severe postoperative complication in open and laparoscopic hernia surgery. The main reason seems to be nerve injury due to mesh fixation. New fixation techniques like fibrin sealing, self-fixating meshes and no fixation have replaced conventional traumatic fixation devices. The guidelines by the European Hernia Society and the International Endoscopic Hernia Society represent for the first time a publication of evidence-based data. This review illustrates a practical overview of open and laparoscopic fixation techniques based on these guidelines and up to date studies.

What are TEP technique advantages in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair?

Aim: Endoscopic inguinal hernia repair,totally extraperitoneal(TEP) and transabdominal preperitoneal(TAPP) approach are widely accepted alternatives to open surgery.The search for the \'gold standard\' repair method still continues.This retrospective clinic trial was done to compare the TEP and TAPP techniques of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.\r\nMaterial and Methods:This retrospective clinic study was conducted between January 2014 and december,2014 and included 62 patients suffering from uncomplicated primary groin hernia.Patients were in two groups;TEP and TAPP.The parameters were O2 saturation and end tidal CO2 values,operation time,adverse effects,postoperative assessment of pain,hospital stay and return to work period,early and late complications,patient satisfaction,recurrence and chronic pain value.\r\nResults: Sixty two patients were included into the study(TEP;26 TAPP;36).Both groups were comparable in terms of demographic and hernia characteristics.The average operation time was longer in TAPP group (p <0,001).The pain scores at 1 h,6 h,12 h and 24 h after surgery and at the 3rd-month follow-up were significantly higher in the TAPP group (p<0.05).Group TAPP had lower partial O2 saturation values compared to group TEP at 10th,20th,30th minutes and at the end of operation.End tidal CO2 values at 10th, 20th and 30th minutes were significantly higher (p<0.001).The average follow-up was 15.5 months.In the TEP group,15.38% of patients had seroma compared to 5.55% in the TAPP group (p = 0.021). However, there was a higher incidence of scrotal edema in the TAPP group (7 vs. 2, p = 0.282).There was one recurrence in TAPP group follow-up period.Generally,the patients were more satisfied with TEP rather than TAPP (p<0.05).\r\nConclusions: In the present study,TEP had a significant advantage of significantly reduced postoperative pain up to 3 months,which resulted in a better patient satisfaction score over TAPP.By manipulating CO2 insufflation appropriately,a safe laparoscopic TAPP and TEP techniques can be performed.\r\nKeywords: Inguinal Hernia,TAPP,TEP,ETCO2,

Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic hernia repair in elderly patients.

Inguinal hernias are common in elderly males. We addressed outcome following totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair in patients older than 70 years. We prospectively collected data of patients >70 years with a unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia operated in our hospital between January 2005 and January 2010 using the TEP technique. A total of 429 patients underwent TEP hernia repair under general anaesthesia, mostly men (n = 405; 94.4%). Median age was 74 years (range 70-89). The mean pre-operative pain score was 3.7 (SD ± 2.5). Ninety-four percent of patients had an ASA score of 1 or 2. Three hundred thirty-six patients underwent a unilateral repair (78%). The conversion rate to an anterior procedure was 0.7 % (n = 3). In 8 patients (1.9%), intra-operative complications occurred, and the postoperative course was complicated in 3 patients (0.7 %). Severe complications attributable to the endoscopic approach occurred in 6 patients (1.4%): a bladder injury (n = 5) and a trocar-induced bowel perforation (n = 1). The mean postoperative pain score after 6 weeks was 1.6 (SD ± 1.2). Patients were able to resume their daily activities after a median of 7 days (range 1-42). Totally, extraperitoneal endoscopic inguinal hernia repair in elderly patients is associated with low overall complication rates and a fast recovery. In a small proportion of patients, severe complications occur attributable to the endoscopic approach.