Self-gripping mesh versus staple fixation in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a prospective comparison

Background

Transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair is widely used to treat bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernias. Recently a self-gripping mesh has been introduced into clinical practice. This mesh does not need staple fixation and thus might reduce the incidence of chronic pain. This prospective study aimed to compare two groups of patients with bilateral (BIH) or monolateral (MIH) primary or recurrent inguinal hernia treated with TAPP using either a self-gripping polyester and polylactic acid mesh (SGM) or a polypropylene and poliglecaprone mesh fixed with four titanium staples [standard technique (ST)].

Methods

In this study, 96 patients (mean age, 58 years) with BIH (73 patients with primary and recurrent hernia) or MIH (22 patients with recurrent hernia) underwent a TAPP repair. For 49 patients, the repairs used SGM, and for 46 patients, ST was used. The patients were clinically evaluated 1 week and then 30 days postoperatively. After at least 6 months, a phone interview was conducted. The short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire was administered to all the patients at the 6-month follow-up visit.

Results

The mean length of the procedure was 83 min in the SGM group and 77.5 min in the ST group. The mean follow-up period was 13.8 months (range 1.3–42.0 months) for the SGM group and 18.2 months (range 1.9–27.1 months) for the ST group. The recurrence rate at the last follow-up visit was 0 % in the SGM group and 2.2 % (1 patient) in the ST group. The incidence of mild chronic pain at the 6-month follow-up visit was 4.1 % in the SGM group and 9.1 % in the ST group, and the incidence of moderate or severe pain was respectively 2.1 and 6.8 %.

Conclusions

The study population was not large enough to obtain statistically significant results. However, the use of SGM for TAPP repairs appeared to give good results in terms of chronic pain, and the incidence of recurrences was not higher than with ST. In our unit, SGM during TAPP repair of inguinal hernias has become the standard.     

A comparison of outcomes between open and laparoscopic surgical repair of recurrent inguinal hernias

Background

Inguinal hernia recurrence after surgical repair is a major concern. The authors report their experience with open and laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.

Methods

After institutional review board approval, a retrospective review was performed with the charts of 197 patients who had undergone surgical repair of recurrent inguinal hernias from January 2000 through August 2009, and the data for 172 patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. Surgical variables and clinical outcomes were compared using Student??s t test, the Mann?CWhitney U test, chi-square, and Fisher??s exact test as appropriate.

Results

The review showed that 172 patients had undergone either open mesh repair (n?=?61) or laparoscopic mesh repair (n?=?111) for recurrent inguinal hernias. Postoperative complications were experienced by 8 patients in the open group and 17 patients in laparoscopic group (p?=?0.70). Five patients (8.2%) in the open group and four patients (3.6%) in the laparoscopic group had re-recurrent inguinal hernias (p?=?0.28). Four patients in the open group (9.5%) and no patients in the laparoscopic group had recurrence during long-term follow-up evaluation (p?=?0.046). In the laparoscopic group, 76 patients (68.5%) underwent total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair, and 35 patients (31.5%) had transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. Postoperative complications were experienced by 13 patients in the TEP group and 4 patients in the TAPP group (p?=?0.44). Two patients (2.6%) in the TEP group and two patients (5.7%) in the TAPP group had re-recurrent inguinal hernias (p?=?0.59).

Conclusions

This retrospective review showed no statistical difference in the re-recurrence rate between the two techniques during short-term follow-up evaluation. However, the laparoscopic technique had a significantly lower re-recurrence rate than the open technique during long-term follow-up evaluation. Both procedures were comparable in terms of intra- and postoperative complications. Among laparoscopic techniques, TEP and TAPP repair are acceptable methods for the repair of recurrent inguinal hernia. A multicenter prospective randomized control trial is needed to confirm the findings of this study.     

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using needlescopic instruments: a 15-year, single-center experience in 317 patients

Background

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is associated with a decrease in postoperative pain, shortened hospital stay, earlier return to normal activity, and decrease in chronic pain. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery performed with needlescopic instruments has more advantages than conventional laparoscopic surgery. However, there are few reports of large-scale laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using needlescopic instruments (nTAPP). This report reviews our experiences with 352 nTAPP in 317 patients during the 15-year period from April 1996 to April 2011.

Methods

We performed nTAPP as the method of choice in 88.5% of all patients presenting with inguinal hernia. To perform the nTAPP, 3-mm instruments were used. A 5-mm laparoscope was inserted from the umbilicus, and surgical instruments were inserted through 5- and 3-mm trocars. After reduction of the hernia sac and dissection of the preperitoneal space, we placed polyester mesh or polypropylene soft mesh with staple fixation. The peritoneum was closed with 3–0 silk interrupted sutures.

Results

The mean operative time was 102.9?min for unilateral hernias and 155.8?min for bilateral hernias. There was no conversion to open repair. Forty-three patients (13.6%) used postoperative analgesics, and the mean frequency of use was 0.5 times. Regarding intraoperative complications, we observed one bladder injury, but no bowel injuries or major vessel injuries. Postoperative complications occurred in 32 patients (10.1%). One patient with a retained lipoma required reoperation. There was no incidence of chronic pain or mesh infection. The operative time for experienced surgeons (≥20 repairs) was significantly shorter than that of inexperienced surgeons (<20 repairs; P?Conclusions The nTAPP was a safe and useful technique for inguinal hernia repair. Large prospective, randomized controlled trials will be required to establish the benefit of nTAPP.     

Internal plug mesh without fixation in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernias: a pilot study

Purpose

Mesh fixation is essential in laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair of inguinal hernia; however, fixation sometimes causes post-operative pain. This study investigated a novel method of laparoscopic TEP repair without mesh fixation.

Methods

This study reviewed data from about two-hundred and forty-one laparoscopic TEP repairs on 219 patients, which were performed between December 2004 and October 2005.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in the recurrence rate, seroma formation, and hospital stay. However, the mean operation time was shorter in the internal plug mesh group than the fixation group (p = 0.009), and post-operative pain only occurred in 4 cases in the internal plug mesh group in comparison to 29 cases in the mesh fixation group (p = 0.014).

Conclusions

An internal plug mesh without fixation might reduce post-operative pain after laparoscopic TEP repair of an inguinal hernia. Internal plug mesh without fixation may be an alternative method in laparoscopic TEP repair, especially for those involving indirect hernias.     

The incidence and natural course of occult inguinal hernias during TAPP repair

Background

One of the proposed advantages of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is complimentary inspection of the contralateral side and possible detection of occult hernias. Incidence of occult contralateral hernias is as high as 50 %. The natural course of such occult defects is unknown and therefore operative rationale is lacking. This study was designed to analyze the incidence of occult contralateral inguinal hernias and its natural course.

Methods

A total of 1,681 patients were diagnosed preoperatively with unilateral inguinal hernia. None of these patients had complaints of the contralateral side preoperatively. All patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. Operative details were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with occult contralateral defects were identified and tracked. Patients with an evident occult hernia received immediate repair. Patients with a smaller beginning or incipient hernia were followed.

Results

In 218 (13 %) patients, an occult hernia was found at the contralateral side during preoperative exploration. In 129 (8 %) patients, an occult true hernia was found. In 89 (5 %) patients, an occult incipient hernia was found. An incipient hernia was defined as a beginning hernia. All patients with an incipient hernia were followed. The mean follow-up was 112 (range 16–218) months. Twenty-eight (32 %) patients were lost to follow-up. In the 61 remaining patients, 13 (21 %) occult incipient hernias became symptomatic requiring repair. The mean time between primary repair and development of a symptomatic hernia on the contralateral side was 88 (range 24–210) months.

Conclusions

This study shows that the incidence of occult contralateral hernias is 13 % during TAPP repair of unilateral diagnosed inguinal hernias. In 5 % of the cases, the occult hernia consisted of a beginning hernia. Eventually, one of five will become symptomatic and require repair. These outcomes support immediate repair of occult defects, no matter its size.     

The Incidence and Success of Treatment for Severe Chronic Groin Pain After Open, Transabdominal Preperitoneal, and Totally Extraperitoneal Hernia Repair

Background

Chronic groin pain (CGP) is a significant cause of postoperative morbidity after inguinal hernia repair. Open, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair are all commonly performed methods of herniorrhaphy. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of attendance at a chronic pain clinic (CPC) for CGP after open, TAPP or TEP repair.

Methods

A retrospective review of all inguinal hernia repairs between January 1997 and December 2006 identified patients attending the CPC for CGP post-herniorrhaphy. In this study CGP post-herniorrhaphy was defined as pain that limited daily activities despite simple analgesia thereby requiring referral to the specialist CPC following surgical review.

Results

A total of 8513 patients underwent 9607 inguinal hernia repairs; 6497 (75.5%) were open, 1916 (22.3%) were TAPP, and 198 (2.3%) were TEP. Of these, 46 (0.71%) open, 22 (1.15%) TAPP, and 6 (3.03%) TEP repairs required attendance at CPC. A statistically significant difference in frequency of CPC attendance following laparoscopic versus open (P = 0.008), TEP versus open (P ≤ 0.001), and TEP versus TAPP repair (P = 0.027) was observed. After an average of 1 year, 69% of patients were discharged symptom-free from the CPC. In 16%, CGP resolved prior to CPC attendance.

Conclusions

In contrast to previous reports, laparoscopic hernia repair is associated with a greater frequency of attendance at CPC than open repair, a finding that merits further investigation. Of those requiring treatment, the majority were discharged pain-free after an average of 1 year.     

Direct and Recurrent Inguinal Hernias Are Associated with Ventral Hernia Repair: A Database Study

Background

A systemically altered connective tissue metabolism has been demonstrated in patients with abdominal wall hernias. The most pronounced connective tissue changes are found in patients with direct or recurrent inguinal hernias as opposed to patients with indirect inguinal hernias. The aim of the present study was to assess whether direct or recurrent inguinal hernias are associated with an elevated rate of ventral hernia surgery.

Methods

In the nationwide Danish Hernia Database, a cohort of 92,457 patients operated on for inguinal hernias was recorded from January 1998 until June 2010. Eight-hundred forty-three (0.91 %) of these patients underwent a ventral hernia operation between January 2007 and June 2010. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to assess an association between inguinal and ventral hernia repair.

Results

Direct (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.28 [95 % CI, 1.08–1.51]) and recurrent (OR = 1.76, [95 % CI, 1.39–2.23]) inguinal hernias were significantly associated with ventral hernia repair after adjustment for age, gender, and surgical approach (open or laparoscopic).

Conclusions

Patients with direct and recurrent inguinal herniation are more prone to ventral hernia repair than patients with indirect inguinal herniation. This is the first study to show that herniogenesis is associated with type of inguinal hernia.     

Long-term results after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia

Background

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair is indicated for recurrent and bilateral inguinal hernias and traditionally is performed under general anesthesia. However, the feasibility of performing TAPP under spinal anesthesia has been recently reported by our team.

Aim

To assess the long-term results of TAPP repair under spinal anesthesia for primary inguinal hernia.

Materials and methods

Between January 2006 and October 2009, 94 consecutive patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia were submitted to laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair under spinal anesthesia. We looked at the immediate postoperative outcome as well as the long-term outcome, mainly recurrences and incidence of chronic pain.

Results

One patient experienced a scrotal hematoma, one patient a trocar site infection, two patients were diagnosed with an operation-related orchitis, while 31 patients (33?%) developed symptoms of urinary retention. At a median follow-up of 35?months (range 14-59), four patients (4.3?%) were diagnosed with a recurrence, while 89?% of patients reported satisfied from the procedure in the long-term. Chronic pain was not encountered in any of the patients studied. Four patients (4.3?%) reported an intermitted foreign body sensation and/or rigidity and two patients (2.1?%) numbness in the operated inguinal area.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic TAPP hernia repair under spinal anesthesia is associated with satisfactory short- and long-term results. Use of regional anesthesia instead of the traditional general anesthesia does not seem to adversely affect the quality of repair, and moreover, it offers the patient an attractive anesthetic alternative.     

Assessing the impact of short-term surgical education on practice: a retrospective study of the introduction of mesh for inguinal hernia repair in sub-Saharan Africa

Purpose

Inguinal hernia repair is the most common general surgery operation performed globally. However, the adoption of tension-free hernia repair with mesh has been limited in low-income settings, largely due to a lack of technical training and resources. The present study evaluates the impact of a 2-day training course instructing use of polypropylene mesh for inguinal hernia repair on the practice patterns of sub-Saharan African physicians.

Methods

A surgical training course on tension-free mesh repair of hernias was provided to 16 physicians working in rural Ghanaian and Liberian hospitals. Three physicians were requested to prospectively record all their inguinal hernia surgeries, performed with or without mesh, during the 14-month period following the training. Demographic variables, diagnoses, and complications were collected by an independent data collector for mesh and non-mesh procedures.

Results

Surgery with mesh increased significantly following intervention, from near negligible levels prior to the training to 8.1 % of all inguinal hernia repairs afterwards. Mesh repair accounted for 90.8 % of recurrent hernia repairs and 2.9 % of primary hernia repairs after training. Overall complication rates between mesh and non-mesh procedures were not significantly different (p = 0.20).

Conclusions

Three physicians who participated in an intensive education course were routinely using mesh for inguinal hernia repair 14 months after the training. This represents a significant change in practice pattern. Complication rates between patients who underwent inguinal hernia repairs with and without mesh were comparable. The present study provides evidence that short-term surgical training initiatives can have a substantial impact on local healthcare practice in resource-limited settings.     

Two-stage laparoscopic treatment for strangulated inguinal,femoral and obturator hernias: totally extraperitoneal repair followed by intestinal resection assisted by intraperitoneal laparoscopic exploration

Purpose

Total extraperitoneal preperitoneal (TEP) repair is widely used for inguinal, femoral, or obturator hernia treatment. However, mesh repair is not often used for strangulated hernia treatment if intestinal resection is required because of the risk of postoperative mesh infection. Complete mesh repair is required for hernia treatment to prevent postoperative recurrence, particularly in patients with femoral or obturator hernia.

Cases

We treated four patients with inguinocrural and obturator hernias (a 72-year-old male with a right indirect inguinal hernia; an 83-year-old female with a right obturator hernia; and 86- and 82-year-old females with femoral hernias) via a two-stage laparoscopic surgery. All patients were diagnosed with intestinal obstruction due to strangulated hernia. First, the incarcerated small intestine was released and then laparoscopically resected. Further, 8–24 days after the first surgery, bilateral TEP repairs were performed in all patients; the postoperative course was uneventful in all patients, and they were discharged 5–10 days after TEP repair. At present, no hernia recurrence has been reported in any patient.

Conclusion

The two-stage laparoscopic treatment is safe for treatment of strangulated inguinal, femoral, and obturator hernias, and complete mesh repair via the TEP method can be performed in elderly patients to minimize the occurrence of mesh infection.

     

Unsuspected femoral hernia in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of recurrent inguinal hernia

Purpose

Small femoral hernias may be difficult to diagnose by physical examination and are sometimes identified unexpectedly by laparoscopy. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of unsuspected femoral hernia discovered during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in two well-defined patient groups.

Methods

Patients undergoing laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair from April 2000 until December 2009 (n?=?561) were prospectively registered including data on previous hernia operations and identified type of hernia during surgery. We included patients whose preoperative diagnosis was either bilateral primary inguinal hernia (Primary Group) or recurrent inguinal hernia (Recurrent Group).

Results

Four hundred and sixty-one (82.2?%) patients were included in the study, of whom 211 (45.8?%) was in the Primary Group and 250 (54.2?%) in the Recurrent Group. The incidence of unsuspected femoral hernia in the Recurrent Group [23/250, 9.2?% (95?% CI 5.9–13.5?%)] was significantly higher than in the Primary Group [8/211, 3.8?% (95?% CI 1.7–7.3?%)], p?=?0.02. Furthermore, 38.1?% of women operated on for a recurrent inguinal hernia, presented with an unsuspected femoral hernia at surgery as opposed to 6.6?% of the men, p?=?0.003.

Conclusion

Unsuspected femoral hernias are more prevalent in patients with recurrent hernia than in patients with primary hernia in the inguinal region. Femoral hernias may be unrecognized at the primary inguinal hernia operation, or the previous inguinal hernia operation may facilitate the formation of a femoral hernia. Unsuspected femoral hernias are especially frequent in women with recurrent inguinal hernia. In women with a groin hernia, a femoral hernia should always be excluded by laparoscopy or by open exploration of the preperitoneal space.     

TEP or TAPP for recurrent inguinal hernia repair—register-based comparison of the outcome

Introduction

The guidelines of the international hernia societies recommend laparo-endoscopic inguinal hernia repair for recurrent hernias after open primary repair. To date, no randomized trials have been conducted to compare the TEP vs TAPP outcome for recurrent inguinal hernia repair. A Swiss registry study identified only minor differences between the two techniques, thus suggesting the equivalence of the two procedures.

Materials and Methods

Between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2013 data were entered into the Herniamed Registry on a total of 2246 patients with recurrent inguinal hernia repair following previous open primary operation in either TAPP (n?=?1,464) or TEP technique (n?=?782).

Results

Univariable and multivariable analysis did not find any significant difference between TEP and TAPP with regard to the intraoperative complications, complication-related reoperations, re-recurrences, pain at rest, pain on exertion, or chronic pain requiring treatment. The only difference identified was a significantly higher postoperative seroma rate after TAPP, which was influenced by the surgical technique, previous open primary operation and EHS-classification medial and responded to conservative treatment.

Conclusion

TEP and TAPP are equivalent surgical techniques for recurrent inguinal hernia repair following previous open primary operation. The choice of technique should be tailored to the surgeon’s expertise.

     

Stapled and nonstapled laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair

Background: Controversy exists regarding whether it is necessary to secure the mesh prosthesis during laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair. It is unknown whether stapling the mesh affects recurrence rate, incidence of neuralgia, or port-site hernia. Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized trial comparing stapled with nonstapled laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repairs in a series of 502 consecutive patients undergoing elective inguinal hernia repair at two institutions between January 1995 and March 1997. Results: In all, 263 nonstapled and 273 stapled repairs were performed in 502 patients. Patients were evaluated at a median follow-up of 16 months (range, 1–32 months) by independent surgeons. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of recurrence (0 to 263 nonstapled, 3 to 273 stapled; chi-square p= 0.09). The overall recurrence rate was 0.6%. There was no significant difference in operative time, port-site hernia, chronic pain or neuralgia between the two groups. Conclusion: It is not necessary to secure the mesh during laparoscopic TAPP inguinal hernia repair, allowing a reduction in the size of the ports. Received: 28 July 1998/Accepted: 25 November 1998     

Use of fibrin sealant (Tisseel/Tissucol) in hernia repair: a systematic review

Background

Abdominal wall and inguinal hernia repair are the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the United States and Europe. However, traditional methods of mesh fixation are associated with a number of problems including substantial risks of recurrence and of postoperative and chronic pain. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the clinical safety and efficacy of Tisseel/Tissucol fibrin sealant for hernia mesh fixation.

Methods

A PubMed title/abstract search was conducted using the following terms: (fibrin glue OR fibrin sealant OR Tisseel OR Tissucol) AND hernia repair. The bibliographies of the publications identified in the search were reviewed for additional references.

Results

There were 36 Tisseel/Tissucol studies included in this review involving 5,993 patients undergoing surgery for hernia. In open repair of inguinal hernias, Tisseel compared favorably with traditional methods of mesh fixation, being associated with shorter operative times and hospital stays and a lower incidence of chronic pain. Similarly, after laparoscopic/endoscopic inguinal hernia repair, Tisseel/Tissucol was associated with less use of postoperative analgesics and less acute and chronic postoperative pain than tissue-penetrating mesh-fixation methods. Other end points of concern to surgeons and patients are the risks of inguinal hernia recurrence and of complications such as hematoma formation and intraoperative bleeding. Comparative studies show that Tisseel/Tissucol does not increase the risk of these outcomes and may, in fact, decrease the risk compared with tissue-penetrating fixation methods. When used in the repair of incisional hernias, Tisseel/Tissucol significantly decreased both postoperative morbidity and duration of hospital stay.

Conclusions

Clinical evidence published to date supports the use of Tisseel/Tissucol as an option for mesh fixation in open and laparoscopic/endoscopic repair of inguinal and incisional hernias. Guidelines of the International Endohernia Society recommend fibrin sealant mesh fixation, especially in inguinal hernia repair. Nonfixation is reserved for selected cases.     

Open Repair of Primary Versus Recurrent Male Unilateral Inguinal Hernias: Perioperative Complications and 1-Year Follow-up

Introduction

The recommendation in the European Hernia Society Guidelines for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernias is to modify the technique in relation to the previous technique, and use a new plane of dissection for mesh implantation. However, the registry data show that even following previous open suture and mesh repair to treat a primary inguinal hernia, open suture and mesh repair can be used once again for a recurrent hernia. It is therefore important to know what the outcome of open repair of recurrent inguinal hernias is compared with open repair of primary inguinal hernias, while taking the previous operation into account.

Patients and methods

In the Herniamed Registry, a total of 17,594 patients with an open primary or recurrent unilateral inguinal hernia repair in men with a 1-year follow-up were prospectively documented between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2013. Of these patients, 15,274 (86.8 %) had an open primary and 2320 (13.2 %) open recurrent repair. In the unadjusted and multivariable analyses, the dependent variables were intra- and postoperative complications, reoperations, recurrences, pain at rest, pain on exertion, and pain requiring treatment.

Results

Open recurrent repair compared with the open primary operation is a significant influence factor for higher intraoperative (p = 0.01) and postoperative (p = 0.05) complication rates, recurrence rate (p < 0.001), and pain rates (p < 0.001). With regard to repair of recurrent inguinal hernia, previous open mesh repair was associated with the least favorable outcome, and with the highest odds ratio, for all outcome criteria. Open recurrent repair following previous endoscopic operation presented the least risk for postoperative complications, complication-related reoperations, and re-recurrences. The pain rates identified on follow-up after open recurrent repair were lower following previous open suture operation compared with following open and endoscopic mesh repair.

Summary

A significantly less favorable perioperative and 1-year follow-up outcome must be expected for open repair of recurrent inguinal hernia in comparison with open primary inguinal hernia repair. After open recurrent repair, the most favorable perioperative complication and recurrence rates were identified following previous endoscopic repair, and the lowest pain rates following previous open suture repair. Open recurrent repair following previous open mesh operation was associated with the highest risks for perioperative complications, re-recurrences, and pain.

     

Lightweight versus heavyweight mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: a meta-analysis

Background

Reinforcement of inguinal hernia repair with prosthetic mesh is standard practice but can cause considerable pain and stiffness around the groin and affect physical functioning. This has led to various types of mesh being engineered, with a growing interest in lighter-weight mesh. Minimally invasive approaches have also significantly reduced postoperative recovery from inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this systematic review was to compare the outcomes after laparoscopic inguinal repair using new lightweight or traditional heavyweight mesh in published randomised controlled trials.

Methods

Medline, Embase, trial registries, conference proceedings, and reference lists were searched for controlled trials of heavyweight versus lightweight mesh for laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias. The primary outcomes were recurrence and chronic pain. Secondary outcomes were visual analogue pain score at 7?days postoperatively, seroma formation, and time to return to work. Risk differences were calculated for categorical outcomes and standardised mean differences for continuous outcomes.

Results

Eight trials were included in the analysis of 1,667 hernias in 1,592 patients. Mean study follow-up was between 2 and 60?months. There was no effect on recurrence [pooled analysis risk difference 0.00 (95% CI ?0.01 to 0.01), p?=?0.86] or chronic pain [pooled analysis risk difference ?0.02 (95% CI ?0.04 to 0.00); p?=?0.1]. Lightweight and heavyweight mesh repair had similar outcomes with regard to postoperative pain, seroma development, and time to return to work.

Conclusion

Both mesh options appear to result in similar long- and short-term postoperative outcomes. Further long-term analysis may guide surgeon selection of mesh weight for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.     

Low recurrence rate and low chronic pain associated with inguinal hernia repair by laparoscopic placement of Parietex ProGrip™ mesh: clinical outcomes of 220 hernias with mean follow-up at 23 months

Introduction

The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety and the efficacy of the self-gripping Parietex ProGrip? mesh (Sofradim Production, Trévoux, France) used with the laparoscopic approach for inguinal hernia repair. The incidence of chronic pain, post-operative complications, patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence at follow-up after 12 months was evaluated.

Methods

Data were collected retrospectively from patient files and were analyzed for 169 male and female patients with 220 primary inguinal hernias. All patients included had undergone surgical repair for inguinal hernia by the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach using Parietex ProGrip? meshes performed in the same clinical center in Germany. Pre-, per- and post-operative data were collected, and a follow-up after 12 months was performed prospectively. Complications, pain scored on a 0–10 numeric rating scale (NRS), patient satisfaction and hernia recurrence were assessed.

Results

The only complications were minor and were post-operative: hematoma/seroma (3 cases), secondary hemorrhage through the trocar’s site (2 cases), hematuria, emphysema in the inguinal regions (both sides) and swelling above the genital organs (1 case for each). At mean follow-up at 22.8 months, there were only 3 reports of hernia recurrence: 1.4 % of the hernias. Most patients (95.9 %) were satisfied or very satisfied with their hernia repair with only 1.2 % reporting severe pain (NRS score 7–10) and 3.6 % reported mild pain.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that in experienced hands, inguinal hernia repair surgery performed by laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty using Parietex ProGrip? self-gripping meshes is rapid, efficient and safe with low pain and low hernia recurrence rate.     

Open preperitoneal mesh repair of inguinal hernias using a mesh with nitinol memory frame

Purpose

To prospectively evaluate the use of a continuous Nitinol containing memory frame patch during a TIPP-technique in the open repair of inguinal and femoral hernias.

Methods

Over a 3-year period all consecutive adult patients that needed treatment for an inguinal or femoral hernia were treated by the TIPP repair using the Rebound Shield mesh. Intra-operatively the type and size of the hernia were evaluated according to the EHS classification, as well as the size of the mesh used. Baseline characteristics for all patients were evaluated considering age, gender, BMI and American society of Anesthesiologists score. Standard X-ray was performed to evaluate mesh position. All patients were evaluated for post-operative pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS 0–10 scale).

Results

In total 289 groin hernias were operated using a nitinol containing patch in 235 patients. The mean operating time was 38 min for unilateral hernias and 59 min for bilateral hernias. The median follow-up is 21.2 months (14–33 months) during which three patients died, unrelated to the groin hernia repair. At the time of re-evaluation 12 patients (5.0 %) complained of chronic pain, with a VAS score higher than 3 after 3 months (range 3–10). Two of these patients already had severe pain pre-operatively. A total of 3 recurrences (2.9 %) were noted with strong correlation with X-ray findings.

Conclusion

A nitinol memory frame containing mesh is a valuable tool to achieve complete deployment of a large pore mesh in a TIPP repair for inguinal hernias with acceptable morbidity and a low recurrence rate.     

Crucial anatomy and technical cues for laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair: Advanced manipulation for groin hernias in adults

Groin hernias include indirect inguinal, direct inguinal, and femoral hernias. Obturator and supravesical hernias appear very close to the groin. High-quality repairs are required for groin hernias. The concept of "tension-free repair" is generally accepted, and surgical repairs with mesh are categorized as "hernioplasties". Surgeons should have good knowledge of the relevant anatomy. Physicians generally focus on the preperitoneal space, myopectineal orifice, topographic nerves, and regional vessels. Currently, laparoscopic surgery has therapeutic potential in the surgical setting for hernioplasty, with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal(TAPP) repair appearing to be a powerful tool for use in adult hernia patients. TAPP offers the advantages of accurate diagnoses, repair of bilateral and recurrent hernias, less postoperative pain, early recovery allowing work and activities, tension-free repair of the preperitoneal(posterior) space, ability to cover obturator hernias, and avoidance of potential injury to the spermatic cord. The disadvantages of TAPP are the need for general anesthesia, adhering to a learning curve, higher cost, unexpected complications related to abdominal organs, adhesion to the mesh, unexpected injuries to vessels, prolonged operative time, and as-yet-unknown long-term outcomes. Both technical skill and anatomical familiarity are important for safe, reliable surgery. With increasing awareness of the importance of anatomy during TAPP repair, we address the skills and pitfalls during laparoscopic TAPP repair in adult patients using illustrations and schemas. We also address debatable points on this subject.     

Mesh fixation in TAPP laparoscopic hernia repair: introduction of a new method in a prospective randomized trial

Background

Mesh fixation is a critical step in TAPP laparoscopic hernia repair because tackers used for this purpose are associated with possible neuralgia.

Methods

For the present study, 70 patients referred with unilateral inguinal or femoral hernia were divided in two groups for hernia repair. In first group mesh was fixed with titanium tacker. In the second group mesh was fixed with a single suture of Vicryl.

Results

Patients in the Vicryl group experienced less postoperative pain and analgesic consumption. Six month follow-up demonstrated no hernia recurrence either.

Conclusions

According to results, use of Vicryl suture instead of a titanium tacker is beneficial owing to reduced pain, less analgesic consumption, and lower cost.