NCT00568269 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

The recurrence rate for both TEP and Lichtenstein repair was low. A higher cumulative recurrence rate in the TEP group was seen at 5 years. Further analysis revealed that this could be attributable to incorrect surgical technique.

Background: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy has emerged as a recognized operative method for inguinal hernia repair. This study compared the short-term results of two tension-free methods of repair: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic patch repair and the open Lichtenstein mesh technique.Methods: A total of 1513 men from 11 hospitals who presented with a primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomized to one of the two methods. Operating time, short-term complications, reoperations, postoperative pain, consumption of analgesics, sick leave and time to resumption of normal physical activities were recorded. Results: Some 1371 of the 1513 men underwent surgery, 665 in the TEP group and 706 in the Lichtenstein group. The median duration of operation was 55 min for both procedures and 91·0 per cent of the patients in both groups were discharged on the day of operation. Patients in the TEP group experienced less postoperative pain (P < 0·001), consumed fewer analgesics (P < 0·001), had a shorter period of sick leave (7 versus 12 days; P < 0·001) and a shorter time to resumption of normal physical activity (20 versus 31 days; P < 0·001). Conclusion:The TEP technique took no longer to perform, and was associated with less postoperative pain, a shorter period of sick leave and a faster recovery, compared with open Lichtenstein hernia repair.

The short-term advantage for patients who undergo the laparoscopic technique is less postoperative pain and shorter sick leave. In the long term, no differences were observed in the chronic pain or recurrence rate.

Surgery duration, early postoperative, pain and infection rates were significantly reduced with self-gripping polyester mesh compared to Lichtenstein repair with polypropylene mesh. The use of fixation increased postoperative pain in the P group. The absence of early recurrence highlights the gripping efficiency effect.