Bilateral inguinal hernia repair: laparoscopic or open approach?

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes in the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia, comparing the laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) and open tension-free mesh repair (LICHT) approaches. METHODS: We performed a prospective controlled non randomized clinical study in 128 patients with bilateral inguinal hernia over a period of 3 years. LICHT was used in 106 cases (53 patients) while TEP was employed in 150 cases (75 patients). The main outcome measurements were: recurrence rate, operating time, hospital stay and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were three recurrences (2.3%): two in the LICHT group (3.8%) and one (1.3%) in the TEP group P = NS. The TEP procedure was faster than LICHT repair (48.8 ± 10.8 vs. 70.4 ± 11.2 min) P < 0.01. Postoperative complications were more frequent in LICHT group (16%) than TEP group (5.3%) P < 0.01. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TEP group (0.6 ± 0.8 vs. 1.3 ± 1.2 days) P < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: The TEP approach is an effective option for the treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia when performed by experienced surgeons.

Preperitoneal repair for recurrent inguinal hernia: laparoscopic and open approach.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of preperitoneal repair using laparoscopic (TEP) and open (OPM) approach in recurrent inguinal hernia. METHODS: We performed a prospective controlled nonrandomized clinical study in 188 patients with 207 recurrent inguinal hernias over a period of 5 years. TEP repair was employed for 86 repairs, and OPM was used in 121 procedures. The main outcome measurements were: recurrence rate, operating time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: There were three recurrences (1.7%). Two in the OPM group (1.8%) and one (1.3%) in the TEP group [ P=NS (not significant)]. The TEP procedure was faster than OPM for unilateral repair (40.8 vs 46.3 min) (P<0.001). Postoperative complications were more frequent in the OPM group (23.9%) than the TEP group (13.9%) ( P=NS). Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TEP group (1.2 vs 3.9 days) (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Preperitoneal approach (open or laparoscopic) seems to be a good option in recurrent inguinal hernia when these procedures are done by experienced surgeons.

The impact of the surgeon's experience on the results of laparoscopic hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience with the totally extraperitoneal (TEP) laparoscopic approach to hernia repair. METHODS: We performed a prospective study of 1227 hernia repairs using the TEP technique over a 7-year period. The main outcome measurements were postoperative complications, conversion rate, learning curve effect, surgery time, hospital stay, return to work, and recurrence rate. RESULTS: The mean operating time was > 60 min during the first 50 cases, but it fall to 32 min for the last 200 cases (p < 0.05). The conversion rate was 5.7% (56 patients); declining from 17% in the first 100 cases to 2.2% for the final 500 cases (p < 0.01). There were 79 complications (6.4%) and 23 recurrences (2.3%); 42% of the complications and 61% of the recurrences appeared in the first 100 cases (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that postoperative complications, conversion rate, operating time, and recurrences are all substantially reduced as the surgeon's experience increases. Thus, once the learning curve is surpassed, TEP repair represents a good alternative to open techniques.

Tratamiento laparoscópico de la hernia inguinal / Laparoscopic treatment of the inginal hernia

El tratamiento laparoscópico de la hernia inguinal sigue siendo uno de los procedimientos laparoscópicos más cuestionados ya que todavía no se han demostrado claramente las ventajas de este método sobre el tratamiento clásico anterior. Se presenta una breve historia de la cirugía laparoscópica de la hernia, describiéndose la técnica totalmente extraperitoneal utilizada hoy día por los autores, así como los resultados obtenidos en 1.177 hernioplastias laparoscópicas realizadas por ellos en los últimos 6 años, destacando una recidiva del 2,1 por ciento y la progresiva mejora de resultados al aumentar la experiencia. Se revisan los estudios publicados por grupos especializados en hernioplastia laparoscópica y aquellos que la comparan con la cirugía abierta en cuanto a análisis del coste económico, resultados, curva de aprendizaje, indicación y diferencias entre los tipos de hernioplastia laparoscópica. Los resultados actuales obtenidos por grupos con experiencia son equiparables o superiores a las técnicas abiertas, si bien aspectos como el coste económico deben mejorarse. En espera de estudios prospectivos a largo plazo que definan el papel real de la hernioplastia laparoscópica en la cirugía de la hernia, creemos que la técnica totalmente extraperitoneal constituye la mejor alternativa en el tratamiento de la hernia recidivada y bilateral. En la hernia primaria unilateral debería reservarse para pacientes laboralmente activos en los que la disminución de la baja laboral pueda compensar el mayor coste hospitalario. (AU)

Evolution of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the regional hospitals of Catalonia.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the hands of surgeons with different amounts of experience in laparoscopic surgery at 15 regional hospitals, and to analyze the evolution of the current performance in comparison with results published in 1993. METHODS: prospective study of 1168 laparoscopic cholecystectomies done in 1996 in 15 regional hospitals in Catalonia. RESULTS: in 887 cases (76%) the indication was uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Preoperative cholangiography was done selectively in 12 of the 15 hospitals. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was positive in only 50 cases (57.4%), with 9 complications (10.3%). In 87 patients (7.4%) conversions to open surgery occurred. Postoperative complications (6. 3%), bile duct injury (0.4%), reintervention (0.4%) and postoperative stay (2.8 days) decreased in comparison with the year 1993. CONCLUSIONS: the current results suggest an overall improvement in comparison with the 1993 findings, since the rate of complications and length of stay decreased. However, the increasing number of conversions was notable; this may be due to the increasing complexity of the indications and the rise in the number of surgeons still on the learning curve. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is, in our setting and for many surgeons, a safe and effective procedure that yields results similar to those in other multicenter studies.

Evolución de la colecistectomía laparoscópica en los hospitales comarcales de Cataluña* / General and Digestive Surgery Department. Igualada General Hospital. Barcelona, Spain

OBJETIVO: valorar la seguridad y eficacia de la colecistectomía laparoscópica en hospitales de ámbito comarcal con un grupo amplio de cirujanos de experiencia variable en cirugía laparoscópica. Analizar la evolución de los resultados actuales comparándolos con los obtenidos y publicados por el mismo grupo en 1993. MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo sobre 1.168 colecistectomías laparoscópicas practicadas durante 1996 en 15 hospitales comarcales de Catalunya. RESULTADOS: en 887 casos (76 por ciento) la indicación fue una colelitiasis no complicada. La colangiografía peroperatoria se realiza de forma selectiva en 12 de los 15 hospitales. La colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica preoperatoria fue positiva sólo en 50 casos (57,4 por ciento), refiriéndose nueve complicaciones (10,3 por ciento). Se han producido 87 (7 4 por ciento) conversiones a cirugía abierta. Las complicaciones postoperatorias (6,3 por ciento), lesión biliar (0,4 por ciento), reintervenciones (0,4 por ciento) y estancia postoperatoria (2,8 días) han disminuido respecto a 1993. CONCLUSIONES: los resultados actuales sugieren una mejoría global respecto a los obtenidos en 1993, ya que han disminuido las complicaciones y la estancia hospitalaria. Sin embargo, destaca el aumento de conversiones que podría atribuirse a la mayor complejidad de las indicaciones y la progresiva incorporación de cirujanos en plena curva de aprendizaje. La colecistectomía laparoscópica es, en nuestro medio y para un amplio número de cirujanos, un procedimiento seguro y eficaz, con unos resultados equiparables a los publicados por otros grupos multicéntricos similares (AU)