[LASER TECHNOLOGIES IN LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIOLOGY].

Area of Science:

• Laparoscopic surgery
• Surgical technology
• Minimally invasive procedures

Background:

• Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) repair is a common procedure for inguinal hernias.
• Traditional electrocoagulation methods present challenges such as tissue wrinkling and smoke, potentially obscuring the surgical field.
• Evaluating alternative energy devices is crucial for improving surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy and safety of a 1470 nm universal laser coagulator ("Lika-surgeon") as a substitute for electrocoagulation during TAPP procedures.
• To compare operative time, hospital stay, pain severity, and tissue damage between laser and electrocoagulation techniques.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 88 patients undergoing TAPP with a 1470 nm laser coagulator and 102 patients with standard electrocoagulation.
• Data collection included operative duration, length of hospital stay, pain assessment, and morphological analysis of tissue effects.
• Surgical interventions were conducted across multiple surgical departments in 2020.

Main Results:

• The laser group demonstrated significantly shorter operating times and hospital stays compared to the electrocoagulation group.
• Postoperative pain was comparable in the early period, but significantly less severe in the late period for the laser group (6.1% vs. 15.2%).
• Morphological analysis revealed substantially less tissue trauma in the laser group, with a coagulation zone of 372.91 µm versus 835.88 µm.

Conclusions:

• The 1470 nm laser coagulator provides enhanced cutting and coagulation, maintains optical clarity, and causes minimal thermal damage.
• It significantly reduces operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative pain, offering advantages over electrosurgical devices.
• This laser technology presents promising new applications for laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.