Transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy: Results of 509 repairs

A follow-up series of 509 transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs is presented. The technique used was an original TAPP approach using a SurgiPro Mesh with two technical variations. Age restrictions were removed after the first few cases; thereafter, all patients cleared for general anesthesia were entered into this study without restrictions. Our average operating time was 48 minutes for unilateral hernia repairs. All procedures were outpatient procedures with the exception of 11 overnight admissions for urinary retention. The procedure was well tolerated. Ninety-three per cent of all patients reported minimal pain or discomfort within 72 hours. All patients were instructed to resume unrestricted physical activities within 24 to 48 hours after the procedure; 89 per cent were able to resume activities within 5 days, 94 per cent within 7 days, and 97 per cent within 10 days. No significant morbidity nor mortality were reported, with the exception of two postoperative neuropathies. Nineteen patients developed postoperative seromas that were successfully aspirated. One recurrence has been reported to date. Due to the lack of long term follow-up, these results remain inadequate to establish an accurate recurrence rate. This procedure remains technically difficult and is subject to a learning curve, but the rate of recovery for these patients is significantly improved. In conclusion, the superiority of this procedure in comparison to its open counterpart cannot be proven until long term follow-up becomes available.