Comparison of follow-up results of patients undergoing Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Herniorrhaphy or undergoing Lichtenstein Herniorrhaphy

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the treatment outcomes of patients that were operated for an inguinal hernia surgery with lap aro scopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair and Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy (LH). Materials and Methods: This comparative descriptive study, includes a total of 318 inguinal hernia patients treated with TEP herniorrhaphy and 159 patients treated with Lichtenstein herniorrhaphy. The data of the study, "Patient identification data form" and "Herniorrhaphy Assessment Form" were used to collect data regarding the following items: postoperative complications, resting and post-exercise pain levels, length of hospital stay, time of the return to normal activity and work, recurrence rates, wound healing, the amount of scar, satisfaction with surgery and general health status. ResultsThe mean follow-up period was 6.67 +/- 2.95 and 4.23 +/- 3.06 years for TEP and LH patients, respectively Post-operative TEP patients were able to return to work sooner and postoperative scar development was less in patients with TEP. Despite having more seroma formation in the TEP group, paresthesia was less common than in the LH group. Patients in the TEP group were found to feel healthier than those in the LH group. Conclusion: Despite having more seroma and hematoma formation, TEP group had less paresthesia and permanent nerve damage outcomes compared to the LH group. TEP inguinal hernia repair recurrence rates can be close to those of the LH herniorrhaphy method if the operation is performed by a proficient surgeon.