Laparoscopic or open preperitoneal repair in the management of recurrent groin hernias

Laparoscopic repair is considered by many to be the operation of choice for a recurrent hernia. The aim of this study was to compare long-term outcome of laparoscopic and open preperitoneal repair of recurrent groin hernias. All patients operated on by one surgeon for recurrent groin hernia between January 1994 and December 2001 were reviewed. Forty-five percent had their data collected prospectively, while in 55% the data was collected retrospectively. Over the study period 128 patients underwent repair of a recurrent groin hernia of whom 99 had either a laparoscopic or open preperitoneal repair. The mean age was 60 years (range 15-88), 93 were men while 6 were women. Forty-five had their hernia repaired laparoscopically while 54 had an open preperitoneal repair. Patients have been followed for a median of 5 years (range 2-9 years). There has been no recurrence in either group of patients. Two patients in the laparoscopic group and four in the open group suffered from chronic groin pain. One patient in either group developed a Hydrocele that was dealt with surgically. Laparoscopic and open preperitoneal repair of a recurrent groin hernia are associated with similar long-term outcomes.