EARLY OUTCOME AFTER OPEN VERSUS EXTRAPERITONEAL ENDOSCOPIC TENSION-FREE HERNIOPLASTY - A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL

Background. The use of minimal access surgery for repair of groin hern ias is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare endoscopic tension-free hernia repair with open tension-free hernia repair within a randomized clinical trial. Methods. One hundred twenty patients wer e randomized by four surgeons during a 1-year period. Early outcome me asures were then analyzed by intention to treat. Results. Median posto perative pain scores (63 (interquartile range (IQR), 23 to 81] versus 35 [IQR, 17 to 62]; p = 0.004) and analgesia requirements (2.5 [IQR, 2 to 4] doses versus 2.0 [IQR 1 to 3] doses; p = 0.0008) were significa ntly less for patients undergoing endoscopic hernia repair. Hospital s tay (1 [IQR 0 to 11 day versus 2 [IQR, 1 to 2] days; p < 0.0001) was a lso significantly reduced for the endoscopic group. Wound complication s occurred significantly more frequently in the open group. No differe nce in pulmonary function or metabolic response to trauma (interleukin -6, C-reactive protein, glucose, albumin) was observed between the gro ups. Conclusions. This study shows significant short-term advantages f or endoscopic tension-free repair over open tension-free repair. Howev er, larger studies with a longer follow-up period are required to esta blish the relative merits of both procedures in the management of pati ents with groin hernias.