Laparoscopic treatment of inguinal hernias by transabdominal preperitoneal technique. Retrospective analysis of a case series

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to present and analyze our experience with the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) technique for the treatment of this pathology. Methods: Retrospective study by the revision of our electronic database and the Santa Sofía clinic physical medical records, of the patients with groin hernia diagnosis treated by the authors in the last 8 years. The cases with laparoscopic approach were included, collecting sex, age, pre and intraoperative diagnosis, additional procedures, surgical time, perioperative complications, hospital stay, and morbidity. Results: A 158 inguinal hernia repairs was collected in 102 patients, 87 males and 13 females, of which 135 (85,4%) were through laparoscopic approach TAPP type. By means of laparoscopy the preoperative diagnosis was modified in 17 patients (16,6%). Mean surgical time was 50,5±11,6 minutes, and 3 perioperative complications and 4 late complications were observed, for a total morbidity of 5,1%. Hospital stay was 1±0,08days, and mean follow up was 7,5±15,4 months, detecting 3 recurrences (2,2%) in that time. Five patients presented chronic postoperative pain, none debilitating, which gradually yielded in all cases by common pain relievers. Conclusions: The TAPP technique is a valid alternative for the treatment of inguinal hernia. Its main advantages are to optimize the diagnosis, allowing the repair of clinically undiagnosed hernias in one surgical time, and its low incidence of chronic postoperative pain.