LAPAROSCOPIC INGUINAL HERNIOPLASTY - A COMMUNITY HOSPITALS EXPERIENCE

Although controversial, laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has become increasingly popular among surgeons. The overall advantages of this p rocedure over conventional hernia repair have not as yet been substant iated. One hundred and three consecutive laparoscopic, transabdominal, preperitoneal inguinal hernia repairs in 91 patients were evaluated r etrospectively. Patients' satisfaction was assessed using the Visick g rading system. The mean follow-up was 18.3 months. One case was conver ted to an open procedure, Eighty-eight patients (91%) were discharged on the day of surgery. Eighty-seven patients (96%) were satisfied with the operation (Visick grades I & II). Twenty-nine patients who previo usly underwent a traditional open herniorraphy stated that they would have preferred the laparoscopic method if they had the choice. Early c omplications included wound infection (n = 1), urinary retention (n = 1) and intestinal obstruction necessitating a laparotomy (n = 1). All patients were ambulating without significant pain after a mean of 7.6 days, and returned to work after 2.4 weeks on average. There was one c ase of recurrence, In conclusion, patients are satisfied with the lapa roscopic hernioplasty technique, which is associated with a low morbid ity and short term recurrence rate. Laparoscopic hernioplasty should b e considered a viable and valuable alternative to the open method. It appears especially attractive for recurrent or bilateral hernias.