Abstract: Consolidated five-year experience with laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Authors:

Singhal T, Balakrishnan S, Grandy-Smith S, El-Hasani S.

Institution:

General Surgery, Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, Kent, BR6 8ND, UK.

Source:

Surgeon. 2007 Jun;5(3):137-40.

Abstract:

INTRODUCTION: After the introduction of laparoscopic hernia repair to the National Health Service (NHS), we studied the benefits and practicality of carrying out this specialised hernia repair technique in a District General NHS hospital. METHODS: Patients with groin hernia were stratified into groups for day-surgery or inpatient care based on Trust guidelines. Patients underwent laparoscopic trans-abdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair by a single consultant surgeon. Patients were followed-up in the clinic. All data were collected prospectively on a structured proforma. Postal questionnaire was sent to 100 randomly selected patients who had surgery more than two years ago and responses were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 830 hernias were operated upon in 572 patients, aged between 16 and 89 years. Three hundred and twelve patients had the operation as a day-case procedure, and the remaining 260 were treated as inpatients. Incidental hernias were discovered in 19.1% of patients, and were treated simultaneously. CONCLUSION: The laparoscopic tension-free TAPP method of hernia repair, as done here, is cost-effective and efficacious. Most patients can be treated as day-cases. A low recurrence rate (0.36%) with low morbidity makes it an attractive method for routine treatment of groin hernias in the NHS.

Keywords:

General Surgery Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair