Triangle Trocar Configuration in Laparoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Prospective...

In totally extraperitoneal (TEP) operation, when trocars are arranged with midline configuration, operative instruments can easily interfere with each other because of the small operative angle. The triangle trocar configuration, which creates a large operative angle, may minimize interference. Therefore, we evaluated the use of triangle trocar configuration in TEP inguinal hernia repair.

A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in 113 patients of laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair in the Department of Hernia and Abdominal Wall Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, between July 2016 and June 2017. Patients were randomly assigned to TEP laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty with triangle trocar configuration (study group, n = 59) or midline trocar configuration (control group, n = 54). Perioperative outcomes (operative time, operative complications, postoperative pain, hospital stay, and costs), early postoperative complications (seroma/hematoma and uroschesis), and mid-term outcomes (late postoperative complications and recurrence) were observed and compared.

After a mean follow-up of 10.21 ± 2.32 mo, there was no significant difference in operative time, operative complications, postoperative pain, postoperative hospital stay, costs, postoperative complications, and recurrence rate between the two groups. The indirect hernia sac dissection time was shorter in the study group than in the control group.

Triangle trocar configuration in TEP laparoscopic hernia repair is safe and reliable and is an option for hernia surgeons. The technique creates a large operative angle and avoids interference between endo-instruments, which facilitates TEP and decreases the indirect hernia sac dissection time.