Laparoscopic hernia repair--TAPP or/and TEP?

BACKGROUND

Of various endoscopic hernia repair procedures, TAPP and TEP have been selected for routine use.

METHODS

Results from Medline research were analysed.

RESULTS

There is a similar risk for postoperative morbidity for both techniques. The recurrence rate in large single-centre series is between 0% and 3.4%. There were numerous indications for both procedures, whereby a transperitoneal TAPP can also be applied in cases of previous preperitoneal operations.

CONCLUSION

Randomised trials comparing both methods of hernia repair are lacking. Seven non-randomised studies showed no differences in recurrence rate and morbidity. In general the learning curve for is shorter in favour of TAPP repair.