Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair for recurrent inguinal hernia

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal herniorrhaphy (TAPP) was attempted on 989 hernias in 708 patients. Of these 137 (14%) hernias were recurrent after conventional anterior repair. Laparoscopic repair was performed on 135 recurrences in 120 patients (the study cohort). There were 119 males and three females with an average age of 59 years (22-83 years). One hundred twelve (83%) were the first recurrences, and 23 (17%) were multiple recurrences. In 90 recurrences (66.7%) the last repair was performed more than 10 years previously. Seventy-seven patients (64%) had a prior or concomitant repair of a contralateral hernia. Direct recurrences and right-side recurrences were more common (73% and 61% respectively). Postoperative complications occurred in 18 repairs (13%). These included 15 hematomas, two seromas, and one urinary retention. Re-recurrence occurred in one patient (0.7%) in whom hernia staples were not used. No recurrence has occurred since the hernia staples became available. We conclude that the overall incidence of recurrent inguinal hernia is high (14%). Patients with recurrent hernia have a tendency toward a contralateral hernia (64%). Most recurrences occurred 10 or more years after the previous repair (66.7%). The laparoscopic repair (TAPP) offers a good repair for recurrent inguinal hernia avoiding the scar tissue and with low complication and recurrence rates.