Bilateral inguinal hernia prosthetic repair: laparoscopic approach versus Stoppa's technique.

Aim of the study: The aim of this prospective non-randomized study was to c ompare Stoppa's technique to laparoscopic approach in totally extraperitone al repair of bilateral inguinal hernia. Patients and method: From December 1996 to December 1998, 117 consecutive p atients with 234 hernias underwent either Stoppa's technique (74 patients) or a totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic approach (43 patients). Patients were randomized in two groups according to the surgeon to whom they were re ferred. All patients were reviewed in December 1999. Results: There was no mortality. Complications occurred in 3% of patients a fter Stoppa's technique (group S) and in 4% of patients in the laparoscopic group (group L). The conversion rate was 7% (3 cases). Postoperative analg esia use, hospital stay, and duration of disability were significantly shor ter in group L, the cost was lower, but the operating time was significantl y longer than in group S. Recurrence rates were similar in the two groups: 2% in group S, 1.1% in group L. Conclusion: The laparoscopic approach appears to be preferable to Stoppa's technique in the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.