Can laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia be preferred to conventional method? A randomized clinical trial

Objective: This is a prospective study of laparoscopic totallyextraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair to comparewith the conventional method of Lichtenstein.Methods: A total of 50 patient (25 conventional, 25 laparoscopic)with inguinal hernia were included. We wereexamined prospectively age, gender, body mass index(BMI), inguinal hernia type (Nyhus classification), AmericanSociety of Anesthesiologists risk score (ASA), thefirst skin incision until closure operation time, intraoperativeand postoperative complications, postoperative painscore, analgesic requirement, hospital stay, return to normalphysical activity in terms of duration and recurrenceon preoperative patient. Visual analog pain score (VAS)were used for scoring pain for all patients.Results: 46 patients (92%) were male and mean age was50.9 years (range 17-78). The mean BMI was 25,8 kg/m2(range 19.1-31,6) and there was no significant differencein demographic characteristics between groups (p>0,05).In both groups, mainly Nyhus Type 2 was followed andthere was no significant difference in ASA scores andhernia type between the groups (p>0.05). Laparoscopicgroup was more advantageous in analgesic use, VASscore, and return to work time, but had longer operationtime (p<0.05). There was no significant difference betweenthe two methods in operative and postoperativecomplication rates and early recurrence rates (p>0.05).Conclusions: Although laparoscopic TEP hernia repairhad longer operation time; it provides less pain, less analgesicuse with similar morbidity rate and provides earlydischarge. J Clin Exp Invest 2013; 4 (1): 80-83Key words: Pain, inguinal hernia, total extraperitoneal hernia repair, lichtenstein hernia repair