A 10-year follow-up study on endoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of primary and recurrent inguinal hernia

Background  To determine whether endoscopic repair is favorable in the long term, follow-up recurrence rates afrter 10 years need to be assessed. Methods  Between January 1995 and January 1996, 306 consecutive patients underwent total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. Long-term follow-up assessment occurred from January 2006 to May 2006. Results  After a 10-year follow-up period, six (4%) recurrences were found in the primary inguinal hernia group and three recurrences (11%) in the recurrent inguinal hernia group. Age, experience, hospital stay, and operating time were not significantly correlated with recurrences. Conclusion  The long-term results of TEP primary inguinal hernia repair demonstrate it to be an effective and safe procedure with an acceptable recurrence rate. Recurrence rates may be underestimated because the findings show that recurrences continue to occur for as long as 10 years.