A comparative study between ETEP vs. IPOM repair for ventral hernia

Enhanced View Totally Extraperitoneal (eTEP) and Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh (IPOM) are two widely performed laparoscopic approaches for ventral hernia repair. This randomized prospective study aimed to compare these two techniques in terms of various clinical outcomes.

A total of 60 patients presenting with ventral hernias at our hospital between June 2022 and December 2023 were included in the study. All patients were fit for general anesthesia and were randomized into two groups, with 30 patients undergoing eTEP and 30 patients undergoing IPOM.

There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics such as age, sex, or comorbidities between the two groups. The operative time for eTEP was significantly longer, with a mean duration of 211 min compared to 177.5 min for IPOM (p < 0.001). Postoperative pain and analgesic requirements were significantly lower in the eTEP group. Two patients in the eTEP group required conversion to IPOM. No intraoperative complications occurred in either group. Two patients developed seromas on the seventh postoperative day, both of which were managed conservatively. The mean hospital stay was shorter for eTEP (3.43 days) compared to IPOM (6.16 days, p < 0.001). Patients undergoing eTEP had an earlier return to work and reported better abdominal wall quality of life. No recurrences were observed in either group during the six-month follow-up period.

eTEP repair for ventral hernias offers several advantages over the commonly performed IPOM technique, including reduced postoperative pain, shorter hospital stay, and faster recovery. However, the choice of procedure should be guided by the surgeon's expertise and confidence in performing either technique.