Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair: surgical phases and complications

Background: This study aimed to determine the nature of complications after transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair, and to evaluate possible links to intraoperative factors in an effort to reduce the incidence of complications. Methods: The TAPP procedures for inguinal/femoral hernias performed between 1992 and 2004 at a single center were analyzed retrospectively. Complications were categorized according to severity and stage of the surgical procedure at which they occurred. Individual surgeon performances were examined to determine whether the rates of complications were related to surgeon experience. Results: A total of 1,973 TAPP procedures were reviewed, and 81% of the patients completed 5 years of follow-up evaluation. The 74 complications (3.7%) reported were categorized as follows: 33 major (1.7%) versus 41 minor (2.0%), 66 hernia-related (3.4%) versus 8 laparoscopy-related (0.5%) complications, and 12 recurrences (0.6%). Risk factors for complications included inguinoscrotal hernia (p <= 0.001), dissection/ reduction of the sac (p = 0.02), and surgeon experience (< 50 TAPP procedures; odds ratio, 7.1; 95% confidence interval, 4.2-11.9). Conclusions: Accuracy in dissection/reduction of the sac improves the outcome of TAPP hernia repair. This effect is related to the experience of the surgeon. Experience performing more than 75 procedures is required for optimal results.