Hernia repair during endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy: outcome after 93 cases

To investigate the outcome of preperitoneal inguinal hernia mesh repairs performed during endoscopic extraperitoneal radical prostatectomy (EERPE).

Ninety-three patients underwent inguinal hernia repair during 2125 EERPEs performed between 2002 and 2008. Seventy-seven patients had a unilateral hernia and 16 bilateral inguinal hernias. Patients were treated with EERPE or nerve-sparing EERPE and pelvic lymphadenectomy (if indicated) for localized prostate cancer.

The mean age of the patients was 63 years (range 49-75 years). Operative time was 150 minutes (range 85-285 minutes) and estimated mean blood loss was 240 mL (range 30-600 mL). Blood transfusion was never deemed necessary. No conversions to open surgery took place. The mean duration of catheterization was 6.5 days (range 4-25 days). One patient developed a pelvic haematoma, three patients had symptomatic pelvic lymphoceles, and one developed an anastomotic stricture. One patient suffered a rectal injury during the procedure and another developed deep venous thrombosis. The only complication of hernia repair was mild penile bruising and edema. During the follow-up period, we have never observed mesh infection or hernia recurrence.

EERPE combined with either a unilateral or bilateral laparoscopic hernia repair appears to be a safe and effective procedure. The incidence of complications related to either EERPE or the hernia repair was not increased. Oncological and functional outcome of EERPE seems not to be influenced by the performance of inguinal hernia repair.