Postoperative Outcomes and Recurrence Rate in Laparoscopic Tep Inguinal Hernia Repairs Using Partially Absorbable Meshes: A Retrospective Single-Surgeon Study Over a 5-Year Period.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the postoperative outcomes and recurrence rate in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repairs performed over a 5-year period with totally extraperitoneal (TEP) technique and use of partially absorbable meshes.

Methods: A total of 100 patients (mean (SD, min-max) age: 51.0 (14.6, 16-83) years, 91.0% were males) who underwent 150 laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repairs (bilateral in 50 patients) with use of the partially absorbable mesh were retrospectively reviewed. Data on patient demographics, hernia characteristics (side, subtype), date of operation, operating time, early and late postoperative complications as well as the recurrence rate were recorded over a 5-year period.

Results: The inguinal hernia was bilateral in 50 (50.0%) patients and indirect hernia was noted in 53 (53.0%) patients, while lipoma was evident in 17 (17.0%) cases. Median operating time was 45.0 min (range, 23.0 to 140.0 min). Overall, seroma occurred in 6 (6.0%) patients and was treated conservatively, while none of patients developed preperitoneal hematoma, infection or persistent chronic inguinal pain. Recurrence rate was 0.67% (1/150 operations) within a median 30.0 months (range, 2 to 60 months) of postoperative follow-up. Bilateral hernia was associated with significantly longer operating time compared to left or right unilateral hernia (median (min-max) 50.0 (34.0-140.0) vs. 40.0 (23-80) and 40.0 (25.0-130.0) min, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). Operating time was positively correlated both with patient age (r=0.240, p=0.017) and BMI (r=0.205, p=0.044).

Conclusion: In conclusion, our findings indicate that laparoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair with use of the partially absorbable meshes enables a favorable postoperative outcome with minimal early and late postoperative complications and 0.67% recurrence rate over a 5-year period.