title: [Complete pre-peritoneal endoscopic closure of inguinal hernias].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Considering the high recurrence rate after conventional inguinal hernia repair, the totally preperitoneal endoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been used.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present experience of the authors embraces 1085 patients with a total of 1717 inguinal hernias, including 200 recurrences. The operative technique is described with emphasis on pitfalls and tricks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of the data concerning the first 403 patients with 1 year complete follow-up reveals a mean (SEM) operating time of 42 (1.2) min for unilateral and 58 (1.0) min for bilateral hernia repair. Mean (SEM) postoperative hospital stay was 2 (0.04) days. Complication rates during and after operation were 0.3% and 3.3% respectively. The morbidity rate at 1 month after operation was 3.5%. The recurrence rate was 0.3% at 1-year follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Totally preperitoneal endoscopic inguinal hernia repair is safe and reproducible for any type of primary or recurrent inguinal hernia, even in patients with previous subumbilical surgery or severe systemic disease. Careful follow-up is mandatory to assess the late recurrence rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Salvatorziekenhuis, Hasselt, Belgium.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hourlay
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gillardin
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vangertruyden
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Topal
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation
vernacular_title: Vollständig präperitonealer endoskopischer Leistenhernienverschluss.