Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: This is a prospective study of laparoscopic to­tally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair to com­pare with the conventional method of Lichtenstein.
Methods: A total of 50 patient (25 conventional, 25 lapa­roscopic) with inguinal hernia were included. We were examined prospectively age, gender, body mass index (BMI), inguinal hernia type (Nyhus classification), Ameri­can Society of Anesthesiologists risk score (ASA), the first skin incision until closure operation time, intraopera­tive and postoperative complications, postoperative pain score, analgesic requirement, hospital stay, return to nor­mal physical activity in terms of duration and recurrence on preoperative patient. Visual analog pain score (VAS) were used for scoring pain for all patients.
Results: 46 patients (92%) were male and mean age was 50.9 years (range 17-78). The mean BMI was 25,8 kg/m2 (range 19.1-31,6) and there was no significant difference in demographic characteristics between groups (p>0,05). In both groups, mainly Nyhus Type 2 was followed and there was no significant difference in ASA scores and hernia type between the groups (p>0.05). Laparoscopic group was more advantageous in analgesic use, VAS score, and return to work time, but had longer operation time (p<0.05). There was no significant difference be­tween the two methods in operative and postoperative complication rates and early recurrence rates (p>0.05).
Conclusions: Although laparoscopic TEP hernia repair had longer operation time; it provides less pain, less an­algesic use with similar morbidity rate and provides early discharge.