Bilateral inguinal hernia repair: laparoscopic or open approach?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes in the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia, comparing the laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and open tension-free mesh repair (LICHT) approaches.


METHODS
We performed a prospective controlled non randomized clinical study in 128 patients with bilateral inguinal hernia over a period of 3 years. LICHT was used in 106 cases (53 patients) while TEP was employed in 150 cases (75 patients). The main outcome measurements were: recurrence rate, operating time, hospital stay and postoperative complications.


RESULTS
There were three recurrences (2.3%): two in the LICHT group (3.8%) and one (1.3%) in the TEP group P = NS. The TEP procedure was faster than LICHT repair (48.8 ± 10.8 vs. 70.4 ± 11.2 min) P < 0.01. Postoperative complications were more frequent in LICHT group (16%) than TEP group (5.3%) P < 0.01. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TEP group (0.6 ± 0.8 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2 days) P < 0.001.


CONCLUSIONS
The TEP approach is an effective option for the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia when performed by experienced surgeons.
Department of General and Laparoscopic Surgery, Hospital General d'Igualada, Avda, Catalunya 11, 08700, Igualada, Barcelona, Spain. 16255xfp@comb.es
X
X
Feliu
R
R
Clavería
P
P
Besora
J
J
Camps
E
E
Fernández-Sallent
X
X
Viñas
J M
JM
Abad
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects; D013996:Time and Motion Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult