Equal results with laparoscopic and Shouldice repairs of primary inguinal hernia in men. Report from a prospective randomised study.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the laparoscopic and Shouldice techniques for repair of inguinal hernia.


METHODS
261 healthy men over 50 years with primary, unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly allocated to laparoscopic (total extraperitoneal approach, TEP) treatment (n = 131) or to a modified Shouldice technique (n = 130).


RESULTS
Apart from a longer operative time in the laparoscopic group, there were no significant differences between the two methods with regard to perioperative complications, hospital stay, recurrencies or pain in the groin.


CONCLUSIONS
Results following the total extraperitoneal laparoscopic and the Shouldice technique do not differ significantly 2 years after hernia repair.
Wennström
I
I
Center of Gastrointestinal Disease, Ersta Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Berggren
P
P
Akerud
L
L
Järhult
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome