Peritoneal closure and the processus vaginalis transection method to prevent inguinal hernia after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) is one of the most common complications of radical prostatectomy (RP) including robot-assisted RP (RARP). However, a procedure to prevent IH after RARP has not been established. We investigated the impact of processus vaginalis transection (PVT) and PVT with peritoneal closure on IH after RARP. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data from patients who underwent RARP at two tertiary hospitals in Japan, where PVT with subsequent peritoneal closure was introduced after 2014. The incidence of IH for 2 years after RARP was compared among 79 patients without PVT or peritoneal closure, 232 patients with only PVT, and 325 patients with PVT and peritoneal closure. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models that adjusted for hospital, age, history of abdominal operation, body mass index, operation time, and prostate weight were used. RESULTS: Postoperative IH was observed in seven (8.9%) patients without PVT or peritoneal closure, 34 (15%) patients with only PVT, and nine (2.8%) patients with PVT and peritoneal closure. Compared with patients without PVT or peritoneal closure, the incidence of IH was not different in patients with only PVT (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34, 2.38) and significantly lower in patients with PVT and peritoneal closure (HR 0.22, 95% CI 0.07, 0.70). CONCLUSION: PVT with peritoneal closure may reduce the risk of postoperative IH after RARP. Future randomized controlled trials are required to confirm these findings.

Long-term results after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy of a simplified inguinal hernia prevention technique without artificial substance use.

INTRODUCTION: Durable techniques that prevent postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) have not been established. This study evaluated the long-term efficacy of a postoperative IH prevention technique that uses no artificial agents to assess the characteristics of IH occurrence after introducing this technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 201 consecutive patients who underwent RARP at our institution between September 2011 and February 2014. In total, 189 cases were eligible for the study. The non-IH prevention and IH prevention groups comprised 72 and 117 cases, respectively. We compared the incidence of IH between the two groups using Kaplan-Meier curves. Risk factors for IH in the prevention group were determined via multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: The rate of IH occurrence was 20.8% (15 cases) in the nonprevention group and 8.5% (10 cases) in the prevention group, with median follow-up periods of 99.5 and 89.9 months, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.011). Only cutting of the vas deferens significantly contributed to reduced occurrence of IH in multivariable analysis (p = 0.047). After reviewing the intraoperative videos, insufficient separation of the vas deferens was considered the main cause of IH in the prevention group. CONCLUSION: Our simple prevention technique with no artificial agents had a durable effect on IH prevention after RARP over a median follow-up period of more than 7 years. Cutting the vas deferens effectively prevented IH after RARP.

Can Intraoperative Video Recordings Contribute to Improving Laparoscopic Percutaneous Extraperitoneal Closure in Children with Inguinal Hernia and Prevent Recurrence? A Pilot Study.

Aim: We reviewed intraoperative video recordings (IVRs) of laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) for inguinal hernia in children blindly to assess performance. Methods: IVRs of 183 LPEC performed between April 2013 and March 2016, graded by the operating surgeon as difficult (D; n = 8), straightforward (S; n = 96), or easy (E; n = 79), were scored by a panel of reviewers with advanced (group A; >400 LPEC cases; n = 5), intermediate (group I; 50-150 cases; n = 5), and basic (group B; <10 cases; n = 5) experience, according to suturing, dissection plane, vas/vessel dissection, bleeding, and peritoneal injury. They also allocated a recurrence risk rank (RRR; highest = 6; lowest = 1) for each IVR. Mean score variance for each IVR was also compared between reviewers. Results: There was one recurrence (R; 4-year-old male; level E). RRR were: 1, 2, and 2 for reviewers A, I, and B, respectively. Reviewer A scores for "suturing" and "bleeding," and reviewer I scores for "dissection plane" and "peritoneal injury" correlated significantly with RRR. No reviewer B scores correlated with RRR. Score variance between A and I and A and B for cases D1 and D2 were statistically significant. Conclusion: Advanced reviewers showed greatest variance, questioning the validity of whether experience alone improves surgical technique.

Contralateral processus closure to prevent metachronous inguinal hernia: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequent operations in pediatric surgery and is increasingly performed laparoscopically. The latter introduced new momentum in the debate on the necessity of contralateral exploration, as the rates of contralateral patent processus vaginales and metachronous inguinal hernias determine whether a routine closure would be overtreatment or useful prevention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE via PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus at the 6th of September 2017; reference lists and CrossRef were snowballed for reports citing identified studies. Eligibility criteria were age <18 years, preoperative diagnosis of unilateral hernia, laparoscopic evaluation, and publication since January 2012. Studies using hernioscopy (transinguinal laparoscopy) were excluded. We reported our systematic review following PRISMA criteria. RESULTS: We included 32 reports consisting of 19,188 pediatric patients diagnosed with unilateral inguinal hernia. Of these, 38.5% (95% confidence interval: 34%-43.1%) had a contralateral open processus vaginalis concomitantly found during laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. A secondary analysis using nine studies that compared open and laparoscopic approaches found that prophylactic closure of contralateral patent processus vaginales resulted in a risk difference of 5.7% (95% confidence interval: 3.6%-7.7%; P < 0.001) following 2691 (42.8%) procedures (nine studies: Ten of 6282 patients operated laparoscopically had a metachronous hernia, versus 286 of 5764 with open hernia repair). CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic closure of a contralateral patent processus vaginalis reduces the number of metachronous inguinal hernias, but about 18 procedures must be performed to prevent one metachronous inguinal hernia, indicating that the indication should be based on personal circumstances of the patient.

Incidence, Predictive Factors and Preventive Measures for Inguinal Hernia following Robotic and Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Inguinal hernia is a known sequel of radical prostatectomy which contributes to patient morbidity and health care expenditure. In this systematic review we evaluated the incidence of inguinal hernia associated with minimally invasive radical prostatectomy, in addition to predictive factors and preventive measures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched PubMed® and Embase® between 2000 and February 2018 using the search terms inguinal hernia and radical prostatectomy. RESULTS: In concordance with search terms and selection criteria we identified a total of 155 reports with 27 studies eligible for inclusion. Collated results demonstrated a variable prevalence of inguinal hernia after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and robotic assisted radical prostatectomy ranging from 4.3% to 8.3% and from 3% to 19.4 %, respectively. There was a higher mean prevalence of inguinal hernia after robotic assisted prostatectomy. Factors predicting inguinal hernia following minimally invasive radical prostatectomy included low body mass index, poor stream and straining prior to prostatectomy detected on symptom score instruments, a patent processus vaginalis or an intraoperative incidental inguinal hernia. Herniotomy or herniorrhaphy with onlay mesh repair was the most commonly reported intraoperative repair technique at the time of minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. Recurrence of repaired incidental hernia is rare. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal hernia is common after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. There is a lack of high level evidence to clarify risk factors and preventive strategies for inguinal hernia after minimally invasive radical prostatectomy. There is a justification for randomized controlled trials to further evaluate this under recognized clinical problem.

Novel Prevention Procedure for Inguinal Hernia after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Results from a Prospective Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective randomized trial to evaluate the efficacy of a novel prophylactic procedure for inguinal hernia (IH) after transperitoneal robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: The prophylactic procedure for IH after RARP involved the dissection of the peritoneum ∼5 cm outward from internal inguinal ring (IIR), separating the spermatic cord and vessels from the peritoneum. This was randomly performed on one side (left or right). RESULTS: A total of 148 cases were included, and IH after RARP was observed in 19 (12.8%) cases, with 11 (7.4%) cases in the right side only, 3 (2.0%) in the left side only, and 5 (3.4%) bilaterally. IHs developed in 9 (6.1%) sides that underwent prophylactic procedure and in 15 (10.1%) that did not. Kaplan-Meier curve analysis revealed no significant difference between the preventive and nonpreventive sides (p = 0.197). Based on the observation during laparoscopic hernioplasty, the prophylactic procedure that strengthened the abdominal wall was by adhesion conglutination of the exfoliated peritoneum in the effective side, and IIRs were opened and developed IH in the ineffective sides. Predictive factors for IH after RARP were not found using Cox proportional hazard model. CONCLUSION: The preventive procedure for IH used in this study reduced the incidence of IH after RARP, but the difference was not significant.

Inseparable interaction of the prostate and inguinal hernia.

With an increase in their prevalence, it has become apparent that both benign prostatic hyperplasia and radical prostatectomy for cancer can induce inguinal hernia development. An inguinal hernia is a common late complication following radical prostatectomy, with an occurrence rate of 12-25%. Following radical prostatectomy, the space of Retzius can develop adhesions to surrounding tissue, often causing difficulty during inguinal hernia repair. Conversely, inguinal hernia repair before radical prostatectomy also induces severe adhesions around the space of Retzius and causes difficulty during radical prostatectomy. The association between radical prostatectomy and inguinal hernia development is complex and unclear. Both urologists and surgeons are challenged by this interaction. The surgical approaches for prostate cancer have undergone a major transition from open surgery to robotic surgery, and the treatment of inguinal hernia is also changing. Based on historical trends, several preventive and treatment measures have been proposed, although there is no direct evidence for risk factors that lead to inguinal hernia development. This article focuses on the complex interaction between the prostate and inguinal hernia, and considers preventive measures against inguinal hernia development.

Feasibility of a novel tacking method of securing mesh in transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: Secure tacking against recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative chronic pain is an important outcome of hernia surgery. In laparoscopic hernia surgery, either fixation outside the trapezoid of disaster or no fixation is recommended to avoid postoperative pain. To avoid recurrence are transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair, the myopectineal orifice must be covered with mesh during TAPP, but lifting or shrinking of the mesh can lead to recurrence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a novel technique for mesh fixation to prevent the mesh from lifting off. METHODS: After the preperitoneal space was created during TAPP, the anatomy of the lateral cutaneous nerve of the thigh or the femoral branch of the genitofemoral nerve within the trapezoid of disaster was checked. The mesh was tacked at the trapezoid of disaster without nerve injury, and the mesh was fixed with circumferential tacking. We call this procedure secure tacking against recurrence (STAR). We treated 391 adult patients (478 hernias) with TAPP repair; novel tacking was used in some patients (STAR group, 236 hernias). The results of the STAR group were retrospectively compared with those of patients in whom we did not use this novel tacking (conventional group, 242 hernias). RESULTS: There was no postoperative chronic pain in either group. There were no cases of hernia recurrence in the STAR group, but there were four cases of hernia recurrence in the conventional group (0% vs 1.7%, P = 0.047). These four recurrences consisted of indirect hernia and mesh lifting on the lateral side. CONCLUSION: The STAR procedure is feasible and safety as a standard procedure for securing the mesh during TAPP.

Proper training in laparoscopic hernia repair is necessary to minimize the rising recurrence rate in Japan.

INTRODUCTION: The Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery reported that the recurrence rate for inguinal hernia repair in Japan was less than 1% in 2010. However, its 2012 survey found that the recurrence rate had increased to 4% for the transabdominal preperitoneal procedure and 5% for the totally extraperitoneal procedure. We held 14 hernia repair training courses from 2011 to 2016 with help from Covidien. This study aimed to determine the effect of this training on the recurrence rate. METHODS: Training was composed of a theoretical revision of inguinal anatomy, dry laboratory suturing, a video lecture, and practice on an animal model. We made inquiries about the length of each surgeon's career, post-training changes in surgical methods, and recurrence rates before and after training. RESULTS: We received responses from 159 of 300 trainees (53%). The mean career length was 12.7 ± 8.2 years. The annual number of transabdominal preperitoneal procedures performed increased from 20.9 ± 29.9 to 32.4 ± 56.1 after training (P < 0.001), and the number of totally extraperitoneal procedures increased from 9.5 ± 13.9 to 13.9 ± 16.9 (P = 0.0218). The annual number of procedures performed via the anterior approach decreased from 153.1 ± 28.4 to 28.4 ± 52.2 after training (P < 0.001). The pre-training transabdominal preperitoneal procedure recurrence rate was 0.9%, and this decreased to 0.4% after training. There was no pre-training recurrence rate for the totally extraperitoneal procedure, but this was 0.4% after training. CONCLUSION: The high recurrence rate after inguinal hernia repair in Japan was mainly due to inadequate training in the laparoscopic method. Our laparoscopic hernia repair training course achieved low recurrence rates.

Long-Term Results of the Plugging Method with Regard to the Prevention of a Postoperative Inguinal Hernia After Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: We previously identified that the existence of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) is an important risk factor for a postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP), and we introduced a novel plugging method to prevent IH development. The present study aimed to analyze the long-term outcomes of this plugging method. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 1026 groins were reviewed between May 2007 and March 2016. The plugging method was prospectively applied to patients with a PPV since May 2011. For patients with inguinal discomfort, ultrasonography was used to evaluate IH development. RESULTS: An IH developed postoperatively in 35 (3.4%) groins at a median time of 22.0 months during a median follow-up of 41 months. Of the 291 groins with a PPV, plugging was performed in 167 (57.4%) groins. The presence of a PPV without the preventive procedure was a major risk factor for a postoperative IH. No prognostic difference in IH development was noted between the group without a PPV and the group with a PPV that underwent the plugging method. Body mass index (≥23.0 kg/m2) and presence of a PPV were independent predictors for IH development in groins that did not undergo the plugging method. For groins that underwent the plugging method, previous operation history was an independent predictor. CONCLUSIONS: The plugging method is effective for long-term prevention of postoperative IHs in patients undergoing RALP.

Incidence, Risk Factors and a Novel Prevention Technique for Inguinal Hernia after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors for postoperative inguinal hernia (IH) after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and to assess whether a newly developed prevention technique reduces the incidence of IH after RARP. METHODS: We included 161 consecutive patients (322 groins) who underwent RARP between September 2011 and October 2013. The prevention technique was as follows: (1) sufficient incision of peritoneum around the internal inguinal ring; (2) separation of spermatic vessels; (3) dissection of vas deferens. RESULTS: Postoperative IH occurred in 14 cases (19.4%) occurring in the observation group compared to 2 cases (2.2%) in the prevention group. Patent processus vaginalis (PPV) was the only risk factor. Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a significant decrease in IH incidence in the IH prevention group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Our data reveal a higher incidence of IH after RARP, with the existence of PPV as the only identified risk factor. Our simple IH-prevention technique, which does not involve the use of artificial materials, appears safe and effective.

The processus vaginalis transection method is superior to the simple prophylactic procedure for prevention of inguinal hernia after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: We compared retrospectively the efficacy of two methods for prevention of post-radical prostatectomy inguinal hernia: blunt dissection of the peritoneum at the internal inguinal ring, and isolation of the spermatic cord from the peritoneum (simple prophylactic procedure) and transection of the processus vaginalis. METHODS: Of the 367 patients who underwent open radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer between February 2005 and March 2012 at Saitama Cancer Center Hospital, 344 patients whose follow-up period was more than 2 years were enrolled in this study. Of these patients, 178 patients received the simple prophylactic procedure and 57 underwent processus vaginalis transection. We evaluated the risk factors for inguinal hernia (age; anastomotic stricture post radical prostatectomy; prophylactic procedures for inguinal hernia; previous history of abdominal surgery; previous inguinal hernia surgery; body mass index) using univariate and multivariate analysis. The effects of the two prophylactic procedures on incidence of inguinal hernia were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier plots. RESULTS: The incidence of inguinal hernia was 24.8 % in those not undergoing the prophylactic procedure; 18.5 % in those undergoing the simple prophylactic procedure; and 0.00 % in those undergoing the processus vaginalis transection procedure (p < 0.001). In univariate and multivariate analysis, undergoing the processus vaginalis transection procedure and high body mass index were significant predictors for hernia-free survival after radical prostatectomy. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the processus vaginalis transection procedure is superior to the simple prophylactic procedure for the prevention of inguinal hernia after radical prostatectomy.

Effects of insistent screening for contralateral patent processus vaginalis in laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure to prevent metachronous contralateral onset of pediatric inguinal hernia.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (LPEC) is known to reduce the incidence of metachronous contralateral hernia (MCH) compared to conventional hernia repair. We herein describe the effects of insistent screening for an irregular orifice of the contralateral patent processus vaginalis (CPPV). METHODS: All patients who underwent LPEC between 2003 and 2013 were reviewed. We started insistent screening for a CPPV in July 2010. The surgically treated cases before June 2010 were assigned to the former group, while those treated after July 2010 were in the latter group. The data were retrospectively collected from medical records. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Chi square test. A value of P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULT: A total of 1113 patients (514 males and 599 females) ranging in age from 3 months old to 15 years old (median 4.6 years old), were reviewed. Of the 626 patients in the former group, a CPPV was detected in 227 patients. Of the 487 patients in the latter group, a CPPV was detected in 271 patients. The incidence of a CPPV significantly increased over time (P < 0.001). We encountered five cases of MCH, all of which belonged to the former group (P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The increased detection of a CPPV by insistent screening seemed to cause a decrease in the incidence of MCH.

Perioperative outcome of unilateral versus bilateral inguinal hernia repairs in TAPP technique: analysis of 15,176 cases from the Herniamed Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Following repair of a unilateral inguinal hernia, there is a risk of 1% per year of onset of an inguinal hernia on the other side. Comparison of bilateral with unilateral TAPP operation in a high-volume center found that morbidity and reoperation rates were only marginally higher for bilateral TAPP operation. Some authors are calling for prophylactic operation of the contralateral side. METHODS: Between September 2009 and April 2013, data were entered into the Herniamed Registry on 15,176 patients who had undergone TAPP operation. Of these patients, 10,887 had been operated on because of a unilateral (71.7%) and 4289 because of a bilateral (28.3%) inguinal hernia. RESULTS: A significant difference was noted in the rate of postoperative complications occurring within 30 days, which was 4.9% for bilateral compared with 3.9% for unilateral inguinal hernia (p = 0.009). The postoperative complications necessitated reoperation in 0.9% of patients after unilateral and in 1.9% of patients after bilateral inguinal hernia repair, thus attesting to the significantly higher risk presented by bilateral inguinal hernia repair (p = <0.001).Multivariate analysis confirmed the highly significant influence of bilateral TAPP on increased reoperation rates due to complications (p > 0.0001). The odds ratio was 2.13 (95% CI 1.58-2.86). Comparison of the results from a high-volume center with those from the Herniamed Registry showed that perioperative complication rates were markedly higher. CONCLUSION: Perioperative outcome of bilateral TAPP operation demonstrates significantly worse postoperative complication and reoperation rates compared with unilateral TAPP. Likewise, the results were markedly unfavorable compared with those of a high-volume center. If a bilateral hernia repair should be attempted in those patients with only a unilateral hernia, these data give the surgeon more information on how to better prepare a patient and obtain consent preoperatively.

Prophylactic procedure for inguinal hernia after radical retropubic prostatectomy.

PURPOSE: The incidence of inguinal hernias (IH) after radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) has been reported to range from 10 to 50 %, but no prophylaxis for IH has yet been established. We proposed a prophylaxis for IH after RRP. METHODS: A total of 180 patients underwent RRP at our hospital between 2000 and 2011. In January 2008, we started to perform a prophylaxis involving the dissection of the processus vaginalis. This procedure was performed in 73 patients. We then compared the incidence of IH between the patients that did (prophylaxis group) and did not (no prophylaxis group) undergo the prophylaxis. We also studied the risk factors for IH after RRP. RESULTS: In the no prophylaxis group, 25 (23 %) of the 107 patients developed IH, and the IH-free rate at one postoperative year was 86 %. In contrast, only 3 (4.1 %) of the 73 patients in the prophylaxis group developed IH, resulting in IH-free rate of 96 % at one postoperative year (P = 0.0235). Among the patients in the no prophylaxis group, the mean body mass index of the hernia group was significantly lower than that of the no hernia group (P = 0.006). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that our prophylaxis is useful for preventing IH after RRP.

An additional strip of mesh minimizes hernia recurrence after laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. An analysis of 490 cases over 10 years.

AIM: The laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has gained significant interest over the years as an alternative to the conventional open technique as a result of its faster recovery time, reduced postoperative pain and numbness. However the recurrence rates are in the order of 2.3% compared to the 1.3% quoted for the equivalent open approach. Much of these recurrences occur either caudal to the fold created in the mesh once in-situ or lateral to the border of the mesh. This technique aims to address both these areas of concern using an additional strip of mesh across the centre to brace the mesh and create a bolster to maintain mesh stability. METHODS: The technique involves cutting a 2 cm strip from the 15x15 cm mesh which is laid length-ways over the remaining 13x15 cm mesh, keeping the longest dimension in the medial to lateral plane, and loosely tacked. The strip over hangs the lateral border of the mesh to control the lateral space. Recurrence rates were evaluated from a prospectively collected data series as well as outcomes collected from a questionnaire over a 10 year period between January 2001 and October 2011. Primary outcomes were confirmed hernia recurrence requiring surgical repair. RESULTS: Four hundred ninety-one patients underwent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair with outcomes including recurrence rates were retrospectively examined through a prospectively collected database. Subsequently 400 patients were sent a validated questionnaire. 246 responded (62% response rate). One recurrence (0.3%), which occurred 4 years after the original laparoscopic repair, was described across the series. CONCLUSION: The use of the additional mesh strip potentially reduces TEP hernia recurrence rates beyond simply the benefits of the learning curve. Although, questionnaires are notoriously inaccurate, the value and consistency between both evaluation techniques suggests that this level of reduction is significant to warrant further prospective trials.

[The choice of hernioplasty method in elderly and senile patients with noncomplicated inguinal hernia].

Complex examination and surgical treatment was performed in 220 elderly and senile patients for various types of inguinal hernia (IH) in accordance to Nyhus classification. In 103 patients (the main group) hernioplasty was performed according to Lichtenstein method or using modifications, proposed by us; in 117 (the comparison group)--the tension hernioplasty, using the patient's tissues. According to data of morphological investigation of the inguinal channel musculo-aponeurotic structures in 24 patients there was established, that in the oblique IH formation a biochemical instability of the connective tissue structures plays a leading role, while in a direct type of IH--the reduction of muscular fibrils quantity, lowering their elasticity and a contractile answer velocity. Application of a tension-free methods of plasty in elderly and senile patients is pathogenetically substantiated, it permits to reduce the hospital stay, the physical rehabilitation duration, the complications and recurrences rate, and to improve quality of life in remote follow-up period after operative intervention.

A simple procedure to prevent postoperative inguinal hernia after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy: a plugging method of the internal inguinal floor for patients with patent processus vaginalis.

PURPOSE: We introduce a simple procedure to prevent postoperative inguinal hernia after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. We developed the inguinal hernia prevention procedure based on our prior study. Patent processus vaginalis is an independent predictor of inguinal hernia after robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 74 patients (98 groins) with patent processus vaginalis during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between May 2007 and April 2013. Of these patients 38 (47 groins) did not undergo the inguinal hernia prevention procedure and 36 (51 groins) were treated with this procedure. For the inguinal hernia prevention the lateral side internal inguinal floor of the patent processus vaginalis was incised and dissected along the spermatic cord. Hemostatic agents were plugged into the end of the dissected canal. After plugging, the internal inguinal floor was closed. We compared the incidence of postoperative inguinal hernia between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Among the 47 groins of the patients who did not undergo the inguinal hernia prevention procedure, postoperative inguinal hernia occurred in 16 groins (34.0%) and developed by a mean of 13.8 ± 8.5 months. In contrast, none of the patients who underwent the inguinal hernia prevention procedure experienced postoperative inguinal hernia during the followup of 11.8 ± 6.2 months. This inguinal hernia prevention procedure required approximately 3 extra minutes. During followup there were no intraoperative or postoperative complications related to the inguinal hernia prevention procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Using our simple inguinal hernia prevention procedure, the preventive effect was remarkable. However, studies in a larger patient population with a longer followup should be performed to prove the ultimate clinical impact of this inguinal hernia prevention procedure.