Comparison of mesh plug and laparoscopic TEPP techniques in the repair of inguinal hernia

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to compare the Mesh-Plug technique, which we used for tension-free inguinal hernia, with the anterior approach and Laparoscopic TEPP(Total Extraperitoneal Preperitoneal) technique, which we used routinely, in terms of operation time, postoperative pain, return time to work, post-operative complication and recurrence. Material and Methods: Between February 1999 and December 2002, 60 patients who underwent Mesh-Plug and 62 patients with inguinal hernia who underwent laparoscopic TEPP between January 2012 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively in our clinic. The age, gender, hernia localization and type, duration of operation, type of anesthesia, duration of return to work and postoperative complications of the patients were recorded. Results: The median age was 40.1 (17-69) in the Mesh-Plug group and 29.2 (20-44) in the TEPP group. The median duration of operation was 29 (20-55) minutes in the Mesh-Plug group and 66.3 (44-88) minutes in the TEPP group (p: 0.04). The duration of hospital stay was 1.2 (1-3) days in the Mesh-Plug group and 1.12(1.1- 1.3) days in the TEPP group (p>0.05). The TEPP group had a shorter duration of postoperative pain and shorter duration in returning to work and daily activities. Conclusion: The Mesh-Plug method, which is quite cost effective, can be applied with anterior approach and spinal anesthesia. When the Mesh-Plug technique was compared with the laparoscopic TEPP, which is applied under general anesthesia, the duration of hospital stay, the return time to daily activities, and the complications rates were very close.