Transversalis fascia-Cooper ligament vs. ileopubic tract repair for medial inguinal hernia

In a prospective randomized study of 171 patients, transversalis fascia-Cooper ligament (McVay) repair of medial inguinal hernia was compared with transversalis fascia-ileopubic tract (Ottsen) repair. After median follow-up of 5 years, the total recurrence rate was 9% (95% confidence interval 4-17) following McVay repair and 15% (9-25) following the Ottsen operation. The difference was not statistically significant, but the analysis showed that, whereas the recurrence rate associated with McVay herniorrhaphy was almost constant after 2 years, recurrences continued to appear after Ottsen repair.