THE TOTALLY EXTRAPERITONEAL LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Background: The totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair has become our procedure of choice to manage inguinal hernia in adult pat ients since March 1993. This technique was developed in an attempt to diminish postoperative pain, shorten the convalescence period and equa l the recurrence figures of the classical tension-free repair. Methods : A complete extraperitoneal dissection is performed. A large Marlex p rosthesis (15 x 15 cm) is placed and covers all potential defects. Res ults: A consecutive series of 195 hernias in 158 patients is proposed. The minimum follow-up in our series is at least 6 months. Morbidity i s low and so far, no recurrences have been seen. Conclusions: The tota lly extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach for repairing inguinal herni a should have a promising future, because the same principles as the c lassical tension-free repair are followed. Preliminary results are pro mising. Further studies, even randomized prospective trials and fair r eports of complications, will determine the future of laparoscopic her nia surgery.