Laparoscopic (TEP) versus Lichtenstein inguinal hernia repair: a comparison of quality-of-life outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has emerged as a viable alternative to the open procedure. To date, few studies have included validated measures of quality of life as end points. We compared quality-of-life outcomes following laparoscopic versus open repair of inguinal hernia.


METHODS
All laparoscopic repairs were performed via the totally extraperitoneal route (TEP). All open procedures were Lichtenstein repairs (LR). Hernia repairs performed between January 1999 and December 2006 were included in the study. Data was recorded prospectively and each TEP repair was matched with a LR for analysis. The SF-36 form was used to assess quality of life. Statistical significance was determined using the two-sample Wilcoxon rank-sum (Mann-Whitney) test.


RESULTS
Three hundred fourteen procedures were performed during the study period, 164 (52%) had a TEP repair and 150 (48%) had a LR. Ninety TEP repairs were matched with 90 LR. Recurrence rates were 3% following TEP repair and 2% following LR. There was a significant difference between the laparoscopic and open groups in terms of physical function (p = 0.0001), physical role (p < 0.0001), bodily pain (p = 0.0029), general health (p = 0.0025), and emotional role (p < 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of vitality (p = 0.2501), mental health (p = 0.08), or social functioning (p = 0.1677).


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that the TEP repair results in less postoperative pain, a quicker return to normal functional status, and improved quality-of-life outcomes with equivalent recurrence rates when compared to the LR.
Myers
Eddie
E
Department of Surgery, St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland. eddiemyers@eircom.net
Browne
Katherine M
KM
Kavanagh
Dara O
DO
Hurley
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D016896:Treatment Outcome