Laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia: retrospective comparison of TEP and TAPP procedures in a tertiary referral center.

BACKGROUND

The technical evolution of hernia repair has brought to the introduction of laparoscopy in this field. The most common laparoscopic techniques are transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. Indirect comparisons between TAPP and TEP have raised questions as to which is the superior approach in improving patient outcomes; however, there is still a scarcity of data directly comparing these laparoscopic approaches. The aim of this report is to offer a retrospective comparison between the two techniques with a long-term follow-up.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective comparative study, comparing TEP and TAPP in the treatment of groin hernias. All patients undergoing laparoscopic hernia repair from 2015 and 2020 at a large UK Hospital Trust with tertiary referral center, were considered as eligible for inclusion. The primary endpoint was rate of successful surgery defined as absence of recurrence and chronic pain at the end of the follow-up. Secondary endpoints were conversion rate (the switch from TEP to TAPP was considered as a conversion for the index procedure), need for admission, readmission rate, serious adverse events (including visceral injuries and vascular injuries), rate of persisting pain at the end of follow-up, operative time and overall complications rate (hematoma, seroma, wound/superficial infection, mesh/deep infection, port site hernia).

RESULTS

Of the patients included in the study who underwent laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia between 2015 and 2020, 140 (55.1%) underwent TEP and 114 (44.9%) had TAPP repair. The mean operative time did not differ between the two groups (P=0.202). The conversion rate was nil. The two procedures did not differ for intraoperative and postoperative complications. The length of hospital stay was significantly longer in the TAPP group (P<0.0001). The overall recurrence rate was 2.4%. and did not differ between the two groups. Costs were acquired from the clinical coding department. Mean costs were measured in pounds sterling and a significant difference was noted between the two groups (P=0.083). In the short term, the most common complication was seroma formation and was significantly more frequent in the TAPP group (P<0.001). In the long term, chronic pain was the most frequent complication in both groups and significant correlated when the operation performed for recurrent hernia, whereas the hernia Type 3 was a factor that which influenced recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, TAPP and TEP have similar, overall complication risks, postoperative acute and chronic pain incidence and recurrence rates. Since TAPP and TEP have comparable outcomes it is recommended that the choice of the technique should be based on the surgeon's skills, education, and experience.