PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL OF LAPAROSCOPICONLAY VERSUS CONVENTIONAL INGUINAL HERNIORRHAPHY

BACKGROUND: To compare laparoscopic onlay hernia repair with conventio nal surgery, 61 patients were randomized to either open or laparoscopi c surgery. METHODS: Traditional repairs were done according to the sur geon's preference. Laparoscopic repairs utilized a modified onlay tech nique with a meshed prototype prosthesis. RESULTS: Mean operative time was 62.5 minutes for the laparoscopic group and 80.9 minutes for the open group. Each group had five complications. There were two conversi ons from laparoscopic to open surgery. Individuals under-going laparos copic surgery reported a mean intake of 5 doses of an oral narcotic an algesic versus 16 doses in the open group. Return to normal activity ( nonstrenuous) was 7.5 days in the laparoscopic group and 18.5 days in the open group. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (range 1 to 14), th ere have been two recurrences in the open group and one in the laparos copic group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic onlay inguinal herniorrhaphy is a viable alternative for those who prefer a minimally invasive treatme nt for this disease.