title: Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We performed a prospective study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic hernia repair in our hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 2500 consecutive laparoscopic transabdominal hernia repairs (TAPP) were performed in 1952 patients. Their average age was 59 years. We used a mesh. 12 x 15cm.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average operating time was 32 mins. We had a recurrence rate of 1.04%. There were 89 complications (3.56%). Three were bladder injuries, one of which necessitated conversion to an open laparotomy. Three of 38 hematomas required open exploration. Three patients were reoperated because of nerve irritation. An incarcerated trocar hernia occurred in six cases. There was one wound infection at the umbilical incision. There were no infections or incompatibility reactions at the mesh. The complication rate declined over time. At the same time, the rate of recurrence decreased as we acquired more experience in laparoscopic hernia repair.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic hernia repair can be performed safely, with low rates of recurrences and few complications are low. This technique achieves good results combined with the benefits of minimal invasive procedures.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein- und Unfallchirurgie, Zentralkrankenhaus Bremen Ost, Züricher Strasse 40, 28325 Bremen, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Schultz
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baca
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Götzen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000293:injuries