Comparison of laparoscopic and open tension-free repair of recurrent inguinal hernias: a prospective randomized study

The current prospective randomized controlled clinical study aimed to assess the short- and long-term results of recurrent inguinal hernia repair, and to compare the results for transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) procedures with those for open tension-free repair.

For this study, 82 patients were randomly assigned to undergo TAPP (group A, n = 24), TEP (group B, n = 26), or open Lichtenstein hernioplasty (group C, n = 32). All the patients with recurrent inguinal hernias had undergone previous repair using conventional open procedures. Physical examination showed Nyhus type II hernia in the vast majority of the patients (59%). High-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiology [ASA] III or IV); coagulation disorders; previous abdominal or pelvic surgery; and irreducible, congenital, and massive scrotal or sliding hernias were excluded from the study.

There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.001) in operating time favoring the open procedure. The intensity of postoperative pain was greater in the open hernia repair group 24 h, 48 h, and 7 days after surgery (p = 0.001), with a greater consumption of pain medication among these patients (p < 0.004). The median time until return to work was 14 days for group A, 13 days for Group g, and 20 days for group C. The comparison was in favor of laparoscopically treated patients. Nine recurrences (4 in the laparoscopic groups and 5 in the open group) were documented within 3 years of follow-up evaluation.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TAPP or TEP) is the method of choice for dealing with recurrent inguinal hernia.