Abstract
Purpose : To investigate whether recurrent inguinal hernias can be repaired using laparoscopic, transabdominal, preperitoneal mesh repair (TAPP) with acceptable complications. Patients and methods : From 1996 to 2007, conventional / tension-free mesh techniques via an anterior approach or a laparoscopic approach were used in 694 cases. Of these, 27 (4%) patients had recurrent hernias, eleven open mesh repair (OMR) (average age, 62 y) and ten TAPP (average age, 64 y) procedures were performed to repair the recurrent hernia. Results : There was no significant difference in the surgical time between the OMR (108 minutes) and TAPP (96 minutes) groups. Intraoperative bleeding volumes were significantly increased in the OMR group (14 ml) compared to the TAPP group (2 ml). The average length of hospitalization post surgery in the OMR group (8 days) was significantly longer than in the TAPP group (5 days). Three major complications occurred in the early postoperative period ; all were in the OMR group. On the other hand, there were no major complications in the TAPP group. Conclusions : TAPP appears to be better for recurrent inguinal hernia repair since it decreases surgical stress and has a lower complication rate compared to OMR.
