STANDARDIZED LAPAROSCOPIC HERNIA REPAIR ( TAPP) VS SHOULDICE REPAIR -RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED TRIAL

From 5/93 up to 12/93 a prospective randomized trial was performed. 10 2 patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernias were included. In 48 patients a Shouldice repair and in 54 patients a laparoscopic TAPP procedure was performed. The laparoscopic method is described. There w ere significantly less pain and quicker mobility in the laparoscopic g roup. In addition a shorter period of disability of work was seen (21 vs. 38 days) in the same group. The morbidity of the procedures was as low in the Shouldice as in the laparoscopic group. There was a regula r control of all patients. The current follow-up period is 16 months ( 13-21) in median. In both groups there were no recurrences up to now. The efficiency of laparoscopic hernia repair is discussed.