A comparison of three different herniorrhaphies for primary unilateral inguinal hernia: a prospective randomized controlled study / 中华普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of open tension-free hernioplasty and two kind of laparoscopic hernia repair for the treatment of primary unilateral inguinal hernia. Methods Patients suffering from primary unilateral inguinal hernia were randomly divided into 3 groups to undergoopen operation with mesh-plug and patch or transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty (TAPP) or totally extraperitoneal hernioplasty (ZEP). Results From February 2006 to February 2009, a total of 164patients were divided into 3 groups, with 62 undergoing open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair, 50receiving TAPP and 52 receiving TEP. Postoperative patients were then followed up for a period of(16±8)months. The average operating time for the patients in the open mesh repair group was significantly shorter compared to the other two groups (P＜0.01 ). The cost in the open mesh repair group was also significantly lower than the other two groups (P＜0.01). The pain scores in open mesh group were significantly higher than those in the other two groups (P＜0.01). The hospital stay and the recovery time were both significantly longer in the open mesh repair group (P＜0.01) compared to the other two groups. No major complications and recurrence was found in neither groups. Conclusions Open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair, TAPP and TEP are all safe and effective for the treatment for patients with primary unilateral inguinal hernia. TAPP and TEP are superior to open tension-free mesh-plug hernia repair as these two procedures involve less postoperative pain and fast recovery.