title: Transabdominal preperitoneal versus totally extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia: a meta-analysis of randomized studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair and totally extraperitoneal repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  The electronic databases of Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, and a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials was undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seven studies comprising 516 patients with 538 inguinal hernia defects were identified. A shorter recovery time (P = .02) was found for totally extraperitoneal repair in comparison with transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (weighted mean difference = -.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], -.71 to .07) although the length of hospitalization (P = .89) was similar in the 2 treatment arms (weighted mean difference = .01; 95% CI, -.13 to .15). Operative morbidity (P = .004) was higher for the preperitoneal approach (odds ratio = 2.15; 95% CI, 1.29 to 3.61). No differences were found with regard to the incidence of recurrence, long-term neuralgia, and operative time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current evidence suggests similar operative results for endoscopic and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, with a trend toward higher morbidity for the preperitoneal approach. Randomized trials with a longer-term follow-up are needed in order to assess the effect of each approach on the prevention of recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of General and Visceral Surgery, Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, Hospital Neuwerk, Mönchengladbach, Germany. Stavros.antoniou@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Stavros A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Antoniou
authors.forename: Detlef K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bartsch
authors.forename: Volker
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fendrich
authors.forename: Oliver O
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Rudolph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pointner
authors.forename: Frank A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Granderath
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D004724:Endoscopy; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000601:surgery*; D059685:Herniorrhaphy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010537:Peritoneum; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Endoscopy; Laparoscopy; Totally extraperitoneal; Totally extraperitoneal repair; Transabdominal preperitoneal; Transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair