No abstract

Long-term evaluation demonstrated greater satisfaction with the result of the repair in the endoscopic group. The difference between the groups in the recurrence rate was not significant, because of the small numbers. The TAPP method appears to be an effective surgical alternative in patients with inguinal hernia.

In order to investigate incidence rates and types of access-related complications that may occur during laparoscopic hernioplasty, we carried out a systematic analysis of our collected results. The aim was to identify risk factors and to develop useful modifications of the surgical technique and the instrumentation used. Since we first introduced laparoscopic hernioplasty in our clinic, we have carried out standardised, prospective documentation of relevant data from all consecutive operations in an electronic database. We performed a systematic analysis of access-related complications and their possible influencing factors, taking into special account the type of instruments used, port-site and prior intra-abdominal operations. Between April 1993 and March 2000, 4857 consecutive patients received a total of 6023 laparoscopic hernia repairs. In 510 patients three-edged, sharp trocars were used and in 4347 patients conical obturators were used to insert the port. The incidence of access-related complications was 0.9% (44/4857) in the total collection (incision hernias 0.5%, bleeding from abdominal-wall vessels 0.2%, bowel injury 0.06%, wound infections 0.06%). Injuries to intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal vessels were not observed. A differentiated analysis of the various trocar types, taking into consideration the number of inserted ports, showed that for incisions outside the linea alba the incidence of bleeding from abdominal-wall vessels was 12 times higher (0.7%, 7/1020 versus 0.06%, 5/8694). The incidence of incision hernias increased significantly (1.2%, 12/1020 versus 0.02%, 2/8694; p = 0.03) when three-edged trocars were used, as opposed to conical obturators. Our results demonstrate that, outside the linea alba, three-edged trocars should no longer be used for portinsertion. The results of our differentiated analysis of laparoscopic hernia repairs, taking into account the type of obturator, the port-site and number of ports inserted, also can be applied to other laparoscopic operations.

Compared to unilateral repair, bilateral simultaneous laparoscopic hernia repair (TAPP) is safe, comfortable for patients, and cost-effective, without increased morbidity or recurrence risk. Bilateral inguinal hernia is an ideal indication for endoscopic transabdominal repair.

From April 1993 to December 1995 210 TAPP procedures were performed because of recurrent hernia. With the TAPP method there is no difference between primary and recurrent repair. All procedures in this study were done with general anaesthesia by senior surgeons. The learning curve shows a reduction of operation time (60 to 55 min) with increasing experience and a reduction in complications as well (total 4.3%). Recurrence was observed in two cases. The reasons for these recurrences were technical failures during the previous repair. In both cases a second TAPP repair was carried out successfully. The main advantage of TAPP in recurrent hernia is that this method gives possibilities to avoid anterior scar tissue. Secondly tension-free repair can be combined with the benefit of the minimal access technique. For this reason, the TAPP procedure must be considered the method of choice in recurrent hernia repair.