Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair; Sohag Experience

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is widely adopted and well accepted in many centers. Objective: We aimed with this study to evaluate the technique regarding its advantages and disadvantages in Sohag University Hospital. Patients and Methods: This was a prospective observational study included 50 patients suffering from inguinal hernia admitted electively to Sohag University Hospital between September 2019 and April 2020. Patients were enrolled for laparoscopic Trans Abdominal Pre Peritoneal (TAPP) repair. Patients were evaluated regarding demographic criteria, clinical picture, operative, and postoperative course after an outpatient follow-up period of 6 months. Results: The mean operative time in minutes ±SD was (125±12.5) for the early 10 patients while it was (69.8± 24) for the last 25 patients. Intraoperative complications were encountered in two cases of visceral injury and one case of bleeding arising from the inferior epigastric artery that was managed laparoscopically without surgical sequelae. The duration of hospital stay ranged from 24-48 hours. Postoperative complications were encountered in 3 patients whom had surgical emphysema which resolved conservatively. Patients returned to full activities in 7.14 ± 0.96 days and returned to their work in 14 ±2.5 days. On follow-up, recurrence was not encountered allover the period of 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: TAPP repair for inguinal hernias is justified as a feasible, reproducible, and safe technique with rapid recovery and early return to work as well as comparable morbidities to other techniques. It is recommended as the procedure of choice in elective groin hernia repair especially in bilateral cases, with short learning curve requiring little facilities in the center.