Results of the laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernioplasty in comparison with the open operation

Purpose: We compared the clinical results and postoperative results with th e total extraperitoneal hernioplasty (TEP) and the open operation by the Ba ssini technique. Materials and Methods: Between October 1996 and November 1998 72 patients h ad 88 laparoscopic repairs and 57 patients had open repairs. The two groups were similar in age, sex, primary or recurrent hernias and unilateral or b ilateral hernias. Results: 90.3% of the laparoscopic treated patients and 80.7% of the Bassin i group had no clinical complications. The TEP patients used over 0.7 days analgetics, the Bassini patients over 1.7 days. The TEP group stayed 4.7 da ys at the hospital and the open repaired group stayed there for 10.1 days ( p < 0.05). Recurrence rates in both groups amounted 7% (TEP) and 12.8% (Bas sini) after a follow-up of 38 months. 73.9% of the TEP patients had no prob lems to return to normal activity within 3 months, while 60% of the Bassini group were not noted to early recovery of normal activities (p < 0.001). T he return to work was noted in the TEP group after a mean of 13.1 days and 24.7 days in the Bassini group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: We conclude that the totally extraperitoneal approach for lapar oscopic hernioplasty is a adequate technique for inguinal hernia repair wit h lower rates of recurrences and better long-term results concerning hospit al stay, consumption of analgetics, return to normal activity, return to wo rk and contentment. Therefore we think that based on a correct indication a nd laparoscopic expertise, laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernioplasty should also prefered by urological centers.