Is minilaparoscopic inguinal hernia repair feasible? A preliminary experience.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopy has rapidly emerged as the preferred surgical approach to a number of different diseases because it allows for a correct diagnosis and proper treatment. It seems to be moving toward the use of mini-instruments (5 mm or less in diameter). The aim of this paper is to illustrate retrospectively the results of an initial experience of minilaparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (miniTAPP) repair of groin hernia defects performed at two institutions.


METHODS
Between February 2000 and December 2003, a total of 303 patients (mean age, 45 years) underwent a miniTAPP procedure: 213 patients (70.2%) were operated on bilaterally and 90 (28.7%) for a unilateral defect, with a total of 516 hernia defects repaired. The primary endpoint was the feasibility rate for miniTAPP. The secondary endpoint was the incidence of mini-TAPP-related complications.


RESULTS
No conversions to laparoscopy or an anterior open approach were required. There were no major complications, while minor complications ranged as high as 0.3%.


CONCLUSIONS
While limited by its retrospective design, the present study indicates that the minilaparoscopic approach to groin hernia repair is safe and effective, making miniTAPP a challenging alternative to laparoscopy in the approach to groin hernia repair.
Santoro
Emanuele
E
Department of General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Nuovo Regina Margherita Hospital, Rome, Italy.
Agresta
Ferdinando
F
Aloisi
Pietro
P
Caravani
Andrea
A
Mancini
Raffaello
R
Mulieri
Giacco
G
Ciardo
Luigi Francesco
LF
Bedin
Natalino
N
Mulieri
Massimo
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies