An Observational Study on the Comparative Analysis of Trans Abdominal Preperitoneal and Totally Extraperitoneal: A...

Inguinal hernia repair remains one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the elective setting. trans abdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) are the two well-established laparoscopic methods of inguinal hernia repair. However, doubts still exist about their relative merits and risks. In this study, we are sharing our observations on the comparative analysis of TAPP versus TEP.

This retrospective analysis was carried out on 105 cases of inguinal hernia, repaired laparoscopically over the last 2 years. Patients within the age group of 20-60 years, operated for primary unilateral inguinal hernia using either TAPP or TEP were included in this study. All the repairs were done by a single surgeon in the same unit, having more than 3 years of experience in laparoscopic hernia repair.

Among 105 patients, who underwent laparoscopic hernia repair, 53 were operated on by TAPP and 52 by TEP. There was no significant visceral or vascular injury in either group. The mean duration of surgery in the TAPP group was 103.43 ± 12.24, and in TEP group 89.83 ± 14.25 min (P < 0.0001) Mean hospital stay was 2.47 ± 0.79 and 2.0 ± 0.65 days in TAPP and TEP groups (P = 0.001). Patients in the TAPP group were able to return to their work after 14.30 ± 1.60 and in TEP after 13.73 ± 1.24 days (P = 0.04).

Both TAPP and TEP are well-established methods for laparoscopic hernia repair. In terms of outcome, we observed that TEP requires less operative time and is associated with a relatively shorter hospital stay and earlier return to work.