Laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair with nonstapling devices (46 cases report)

【Objective】To examine the use of totally extraperitoneal endoscopic hernioplastry (TEP) and its postoperative complications in order to obtain better and more stable experience in treatments.【Methods】A total of 46 patients with inguinal hernia underwent laparoscopic extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in our hospital. The types of hernias are 25 indirect inguinal hernias and 21 direct inguinal hernias including 4 bilateral hernia and 3 recurrent hernia. 【Results】The operations were completed without conversion to open surgery or transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair in any of the cases. The mean operative time was 70 min (range:35～150 min) for unilateral operation,96 min (range:68～160 min) for bilateral operation. The length of hospitalization was 6 days on aver-age. The patients returned to normal activity in 12 days on average. There were 4 cases of groin seroma and 1 chronic pain. The patients were followed up for 3 to 22 months,with no case of recurrence occurred; no intestinal injuries. 【Conclusions】TEP technique is safe with low recurrence,less postoperative pain,better postoperative functional status,and shorter sick leave.