Endoscope-assisted inguinal hernia repair

Since the advent of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, the procedure has invited numerous controversies, and although the procedure has some definitive advantages, no definitive indications for its use have been formulated. The objective of this study was to investigate a novel method for inguinal hernia repair (through a small 2 cm to 2.5 cm) single skin incision that combines the time-tested fundamentals of Lichtenstein's tension-free repair with the advantages of laparoscopic assistance.

The study was conducted as a randomized, controlled trial over a 1-year period and included 50 patients. Only patients with simple reducible hernias without associated comorbid conditions were included. The patients were randomized into 2 groups of 25 patients each. One group underwent conventional tension-free meshplasty, while the other group underwent the repair through a single 2-cm to 2.5-cm skin incision with laparoscopic assistance. This repair was carried out with the help of an indigenously designed steel retractor, 10-mm laparoscope, and conventional instruments; the mesh was fixed with the help of endotacks. Univariate analysis of variance techniques using SPSS 7.5 software was used for data analysis.

Two groups were compared for time taken for the procedure, size of skin incision, postoperative pain, complications, return to work, and cosmetic appearance. The results showed a significant decrease in postoperative pain and an earlier return to work, along with much improved cosmesis for the new procedure.

Although the study was conducted with a limited number of patients and a very short follow-up, it is worth considering this method over laparoscopic and conventional techniques, especially in reducible hernias.