title: Conversion to Stoppa procedure in laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conversion to open surgery is an important problem, especially during the learning curve of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we discuss conversion to the Stoppa procedure during laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair. Outcomes of patients who underwent conversion to an open approach during laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair between September 2004 and May 2010 were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 259 consecutive patients with 281 inguinal hernias underwent laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair. Thirty-one hernia repairs (11%) were converted to open conventional surgical procedures. Twenty-eight of 31 laparoscopic TEP hernia repairs were converted to modified Stoppa procedures, because of technical difficulties. Three of these patients underwent Lichtenstein hernia repairs, because they had undergone previous surgeries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Stoppa is an easy and successful procedure used to solve problems during TEP hernia repair. The Lichtenstein procedure may be a suitable option in patients who have undergone previous operations, such as a radical prostatectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Inonu University Medical Faculty, Malatya, Turkey (all authors). drmustafaates@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ates
authors.forename: Abuzer
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dirican
authors.forename: Dincer
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ozgor
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gonultas
authors.forename: Burak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Isik
mesh_terms: D000075202:Contraindications; D061887:Conversion to Open Surgery / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged