Publication:

Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia using three-dimensional mesh: a 5 years experience at a tertiary care hospital in Kashmir, India

Background Inguinal hernia repair by laparoscopy is gaining acceptance worldwide. A flat mesh used in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is associated with more complications especially early and late postoperative pain owing to the need of mechanical fixation of this mesh. A three-dimensional mesh in this context is an emerging alternative which needs no or minimal fixation.

Methods A retrospective study of 123 patients was carried out from July 2012 to August 2017. All patients who underwent TEP by a single surgical team using three-dimensional mesh were included in the study. Data collected was analysed retrospectively.

Results Out of a total of 123 patients, 114 patients had unilateral hernia and 9 had bilateral hernia. A total of 132 laparoscopic hernia repairs were done using three-dimensional mesh. All the patients were male aged 29 to 75 years with a mean age of 51.5 years. Indirect hernias were more common comprising of 87.7%. The mean operative time was 46.9 minutes. The average mesh fixation time was 12.6 minutes. No major intraoperative complications were noted in any of the patients. Three patients (2.45%) experienced severe postoperative pain. Most of the patients 117 (95.12%) were discharged within 24 hours of surgery. Mean hospital stay in our study was 1 day. The mean length of follow-up was 12 months. Mild persistent groin pain was found in four patients (3.25%). Seroma was noted in five patients (4.06%). Hematoma and wound infection was noted in none. One patient (0.81%) had recurrence after completion of follow up. We found use of 3D mesh costly.

Conclusions Laparoscopic inguinal mesh hernioplasty using 3D mesh is a viable alternative of hernioplasty with minimal post-operative pain and recurrence and using 3D mesh has a technical advantage of easy insertion in an anatomically correct position with minimal fixation.