Recurrence following endoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty

Recurrence rate is the utmost outcome parameter in determining the clinical effectiveness of any hernia surgery. Between June 1999 and September 2004, six patients presented with recurrent hernia after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernioplasty (TEP). Four of the six recurrences (67%) occurred within a few months after TEP, indicating a technical failure. Of the 1,093 TEPs performed by the author, a total of three patients developed recurrence, giving an overall recurrence rate of 0.27%. All six patients underwent open Lichtenstein hernioplasty. Intraoperative findings showed recurrent indirect inguinal hernia in all patients. Half of the recurrence (n=3) was due to a sliding lipoma without a peritoneal hernial sac. Untreated herniated retroperitoneal adipose tissue into the internal inguinal ring during initial TEP constitutes the leading cause of recurrence after TEP. Routine exploration of internal ring for any herniated retroperitoneal adipose tissue during TEP is recommended. Herniated retroperitoneal adipose tissue should be resected whenever feasible.