Laparoscopic Repair of Inguinal Hernia TEP versus TAPP.

AIM

The purpose of the study was to compare the results of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using two different methods: transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and the technique of totally extraperitoneal repair (TEP).

METHODS

In this retrospective study were included 90 cases of inguinal hernia that underwent for laparoscopic approach of inguinal hernia repair at the Emergency County Hospital Timisoara at the 2nd Surgical Clinic between 2012 and 2013. The primary outcome was recurrence of the hernia at two years follow-up. Secondary outcomes were short and long-term complications: hematoma and seroma formation, inflammation of the testis, chronic inguinal pain, reoperation, 30 days mortality.

RESULTS

Of the 90 patients who underwent unilateral hernia repair, 70 were completely followed-up for 24 months, 36 (81.81%) patients with TEP and 34 (73.91%) with TAPP. Regarding the main outcome there was no recurrence of the hernia at two years follow-up.There were two cases of bleeding in the TAPP group;both were managed by laparoscopic sealing of the damaged vessels, 8 cases of post-operative edema of testis in TAPP and 3 cases in TEP. Regarding thesubcutaneous emphysema there were 16 cases in TAPP and 3 cases in TEP.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences between TEP and TAPP in our study were related to minor complications, no major complications occurred. After the two years follow-up of 70 of a total of 90 patients, there was no recurrence of the hernia.