title: Laparoscopic repair of recurrent inguinal hernias.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Repair of recurrent inguinal hernias is associated with recurrence rates as high as 30% and complication rates higher than for primary hernias.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective study, results were evaluated after laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair in 192 patients with 200 recurrent inguinal hernias. A total of 132 hernia repairs followed one previous repair, 41 followed two repairs, 17 followed three repairs, 6 followed four, 3 followed five, and 1 followed six previous repairs. The surgical technique is described.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Follow-up ranged from 9 to 31 months (mean 18.4). Twelve patients (6%) had groin seromas or hematomas; 3 (1.5%) had transient thigh numbness. One patient (0.5%) underwent laparoscopy a second time because of a large hematoma. In 1 patient (0.5%), a staple on the n. cutaneus femoris lateralis was removed laparoscopically. Patients described postoperative pain as being much less severe compared with their previous operation. Of the total group, 76% of patients were able to return to work within 2 weeks of surgery. One recurrence (0.5%) occurred after 6 months because of too small a prosthetic mesh.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This laparoscopic technique can be applied to recurrent hernias, even in difficult cases, with low morbidity rates. Recurrence rates as low as for laparoscopic repair of primary hernias can be expected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hospital Hall/Tirol, Hall, Austria.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sandbichler
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Draxl
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gstir
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Furtschegger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Egender
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Steiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013526:Surgical Mesh