Effect of scrotal support application on seroma formation following minimal access surgery for inguinal hernia: A randomised controlled trial.

Background: The incidence of seroma formation is high following laparoscopic surgery for an inguinal hernia. Literature has shown many intraoperative techniques to reduce post-operative seroma formation. The hypothesis was made that scrotal support may reduce seroma formation following laparoscopic or robotic hernia surgery. This study aimed to compare the post-operative outcome of uncomplicated inguinal hernia patients with or without scrotal support application.

Patients and methods: A randomised controlled trial was conducted on 266 male patients with inguinal hernias. A block randomisation was done, and accordingly, a scrotal support was applied after mobilisation of study patients following laparoscopic or robotic surgery. After discharge, all patients were followed up for 30 days and their outcomes were compared.

Results: Post-operative numbness after hernia surgery was significantly reduced with the application of scrotal support ( P = 0.03). However, there were no significant differences in the early post-operative period for seroma formation, scrotal oedema, scrotal haematoma, surgical site infections, epididymo-orchitis or groin pain between the groups.

Conclusion: A scrotal support application is not effective at reducing the formation of seroma after laparoscopic or robotic inguinal hernia repairs. Early post-operative groin numbness may be reduced by including scrotal support in post-operative care protocols.