SUTI (Single Umbilical Tangential Incision) Laparoscopic TEP Inguinal Hernia Repair

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Single port laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has been performed to further reduce port related morbidities and to improve the cosmetic outcome. However, the cosmetic result of single port laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP) has not been superior to that of transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP). The aim of this study is to introduce and assess the Single Umbilical Tangential Incision (SUTI) for Lap-TEP repair. METHODS: Forty one hernia repairs of 34 patients were performed using SUTI-TEP method. SUTI was made all along the inferolateral skin of the umbilical pit and a vertical incision of less than one centimeter was made in the supra- or infraumbilical skin if needed; the total length of the incision was 2~2.5 cm. SILS(TM) port and conventional instruments were used for the procedure. RESULTS: All procedures were completed without conversion to the conventional TEP procedure. Mean operation time was 73 minutes for unilateral primary hernia, 119 minutes for bilateral primary hernia, 88.5 minutes for unilateral recurrent hernia, and 120 minutes for bilateral recurrent hernia. There were two cases of wound seroma and four cases of urinary retention postoperatively. Other significant complications were not noted. There was no recurrence of hernia during the follow-up period of one to 24 months. At routine follow-up visit at three months postoperative, the scar was barely visible and overall level of patient satisfaction was very high. CONCLUSION: The SUTI-TEP inguinal hernia repair is safe and shows superior cosmetic results. Further studies are required in order to assess the long-term outcome.