OUTCOME OF LAPAROSCOPIC TRANSABDOMINAL PREPERITONEAL INGUINAL-HERNIA REPAIR

The long-term efficacy of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is unkno wn. This retrospective study was conducted to determine the efficacy o f this operation in comparison with the open technique and to evaluate the possible factors of recurrence. We have evaluated the clinical ou tcome in a group of patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures bet ween January 1995 and December 1996, with the aim of assessing the inc idence of recurrence and of long-term complications. Sixty-three patie nts underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair by use of a large mesh. We were able to examine 58 of these patients at a med ian follow-up time of 15 months since their operation. Four patients h ad developed a recurrence, and two patients had significant symptoms c onsistent with nerve damage. The recurrence rate of 7% is similar to t hat reported for open operations but higher than that reported for ear ly follow-up after laparoscopic operations. Our study illustrates the value of longterm follow-up for the assessment of efficacy following l aparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.