Simultaneous repair of bilateral inguinal hernias: a prospective, randomized study of single versus double mesh

Gil Ohana1, Eldad Powsner, Yedidia Melki

  • 1Division of Surgery, Golda Campus, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tiqva, Affiliated to The Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. gil_oha@zahav.net.il

The aim of this study was to compare the double and the single mesh techniques, both used in the laparoscopic totally extra peritoneal (TEP) repair of bilateral inguinal hernia. Sixty-five patients with bilateral inguinal hernia were enrolled in a prospective, randomized trial comparing the single and the double mesh techniques. The single and the double mesh techniques compared favorably in terms of operating time, long-term morbidity, hospital stay, time for return to work, postoperative quality of life and recurrence rate. However, the cost of a single, large prosthesis was 38% to 40% lower than that of 2 small ones. The laparoscopic TEP repair of bilateral inguinal hernia with a large, single prosthetic mesh is a technically simple and safe procedure, which offers clear cost savings and a potentially shorter operating time over the double mesh repair. It is strongly recommended for the routine, laparoscopic TEP repair of bilateral inguinal hernias.

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