title: Hernioplasty and simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study of open tension-free versus laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The laparoscopic repair of unilateral primary groin hernia remains controversial. This randomized study evaluates the outcome of the laparoscopic technique in hernia repair in patients undergoing simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and compares laparoscopic repair with tension-free open groin hernia repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four low-risk patients with symptomatic chronic calculous cholecystitis and synchronous unilateral primary inguinal hernia were randomized to undergo either laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh hernia repair (TAPP) and LC or LC and open tension-free hernia repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operating time was longer in the TAPP and LC group (mean +/- SD = 121 +/- 32 minutes) than in the LC and open group (95 +/- 27 minutes) (P <.01). The mean operating costs were higher in the TAPP and LC group ($1235 versus $1080) (P <.03). The intensity of postoperative pain at rest was greater in the LC and open group at 24 hours (P <.01) and 48 hours (P <.05), with a greater consumption of pain medication (P <.01). No differences between the 2 groups were found in terms of postoperative complications, disability period before return to work, or hernia recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The totally laparoscopic procedure does not result in a significant benefit other than improved comfort in the first 2 postoperative days. However, laparoscopic hernia repair is considerably more difficult to perform than open tension-free hernioplasty. Thus, the totally laparoscopic approach should be performed only by experienced laparoscopic surgeons with special expertise in hernia surgery.
authors.affiliation: Institute of General Surgery and Surgical Therapy, Parma University School of Medicine, Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarli
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Marchesi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013314:Stress, Mechanical