Evaluation of Laparoscopic Versus Open Repair for Inguinal Hernias

Background: The inguinal hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents into the inguinal canal through an abdominal wall defect, and the risk of inguinal hernia increases with age. Currently, inguinal hernia repair with a mesh is the mostly common method through surgical procedure. Objective: To compare the outcome of laparoscopic versus open repair for inguinal hernias. Patients and Methods: This prospective comparative study conducted at General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University at the period between January 2021 till July 2021, between open technique (preperitoneal approach, conventional Lichtenstein repair) versus laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) mesh repair of inguinal hernia. 24 patients were randomized into 2 groups by the closed envelop method, 12 patients underwent open repair operation and 12 patients underwent laparoscopic repair operation. The clinical diagnosis of inguinal hernia was based on symptoms and signs elicited during clinical assessment. Results: we found that mean duration of operation in laparoscopic group was longer than open group with significant difference, as regard length of hospital stay there was significant differences between two groups. Return to daily activity (Days) was early among laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair group with mean 1.67±0.49 and range from 1 to 2 days versus 4.58±1.5 with range from 3 to 7 days in open repair for inguinal hernia group, the difference was highly statistically significant. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgical techniques for inguinal hernia repair (TAPP and TEP) can be carried out with a very low rate of predominantly harmless complications and with an acceptable duration of operation.