Single-incision laparoscopic surgery transabdominal preperitoneal approach for hernia in elderly: a cross-sectional study

Only a few studies on single-incision laparoscopic surgery for transabdominal preperitoneal (SILS-TAPP) inguinal hernia (IH) repair have been conducted. Thus, we aimed to verify whether SILS-TAPP IH repair in elderly patients (≥ 65 years old) is safe and effective for non-elderly patients (< 65 years old). A retrospective study of 91 patients who underwent SILS-TAPP for IH between November 2011 and April 2014 and were followed up until June 2018 was conducted. The inclusion criterion was SILS-TAPP for unilateral inguinal hernia, regardless of primary or recurrent. The main variables of interest were age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, inguinal hernia classification, operation time, perioperative and postoperative complications, postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) pain score, long-term complications, and recurrence. Elderly patients had a higher prevalence of comorbidities and higher ASA of Anesthesiologists scores than non-elderly patients. Intraoperative characteristics, including IH classification and size of the internal hernia ring, were similar. Operation time did not differ between the two groups (44.1 ± 14.7 minutes in the elderly versus 49.8 ± 19.7 minutes in the nonelderly). The postoperative pain score, short- and long-term complications, and recurrence rates were similar between the groups. SILS-TAPP is safe, feasible, and an alternative treatment for IH in the elderly.