Single-port hernia repair: a prospective cohort of 102 patients

Single-port laparoscopic surgery (SPLS) for totally extraperitoneal (TEP) groin hernia repair is a novel procedure, ensuring safe and effective repairs. The aim of this study was to assess the intra-operative and post-operative outcome for 102 patients undergoing SPLS TEP inguinal hernia repair at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, UK. This follows on from our previously published series of 16 patients, demonstrating the safety and feasibility of SPLS in our cohort (Agrawal et al. in Surg Endosc 24:952-956, 2010).

Between October 2008 and August 2010, we performed hernia repairs on 102 patients (98 men, 4 women) aged between 21 and 89 years (median 60). Patient demographics, type of hernia, incision length, operating time, complications, post-operative hospital stay, and recurrence were collected prospectively. Post-operative outcome was measured in terms of days to return to normal activities, work, and analgesia required.

Sixty patients had unilateral and 39 bilateral hernias, with 2 femoral hernias and one lipoma of cord. Operating time was 15-120 min (median 35 for unilateral and 45 for bilateral repairs). The incision length ranged between 15 and 40 mm (median 25). There was 1 intra-operative complication (major peritoneal incursion) and 13 minor post-operative complications, with 8 urinary retentions. There were no mortalities and one recurrence at follow-up (up to 713 days).

The authors' experience has shown that SPLS TEP groin hernia repair is a feasible and safe alternative to three-port laparoscopic hernia repairs in a large patient cohort. There were minimal post-operative complications and good post-operative outcome. Recurrence rate was 0.98 %. Further studies are required to assess the long-term outcome of SPLS hernia repairs in direct comparison with three-port technique.