title: Transumbilical single-port laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: initial experience of single institute.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Conventional laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernias is generally performed by using 3 ports. In this study, the authors report their initial experiences of transumbilical single-port transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of inguinal hernia using a unique "single port."
  
  
  METHODS
  Since November 2008, transumbilical single-port TAPP was performed in 24 patients with an inguinal hernia. A wound retractor and a surgical glove attached with 5 mm trocar and 2 pipes were inserted through a 1.5 cm-sized transumbilical incision. TAPP procedure was performed similarly compared with conventional laparoscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transumbilical single-port TAPP repair of an inguinal hernia was successfully performed in 24 patients (19 male and 5 female; 17 with an indirect hernia and 7 with a recurrent hernia; mean age 54.2 y; mean body mass index 24.2 kg/m). No major or minor intraoperative and postoperative complication was encountered and no conversion to conventional 3-port approach or open surgery was required. Mean operating time was 65.6 minutes and mean hospital stay was 2.1 postoperative days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transumbilical single-port TAPP repair of an inguinal hernia is technically feasible, provides nearly scarless surgery and can be performed safely and effectively in selected patients with an inguinal hernia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, Korea. yslee@catholic.ac.kr
authors.forename: Yoon Suk
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ji Hun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Tae Ho
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.forename: In Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Seung Teak
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jun Gi
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Rodrick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Badakhanian
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014472:Umbilicus / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult