Lightweight Titanium-coated Mesh Versus Standard-Weight Polypropylene Mesh in Totally Extraperitoneal Inguinal Hernia Repair (TEP): A Cohort Analysis.

PURPOSE: The study objective is to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic to tally extraperitoneal repair using the standard-weight polypropylene mesh or a lightweight titanium-coated mesh.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 138 adult patients with unilateral inguinal hernias, who underwent totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair between 2010 and 2013 using either a standard-weight polypropylene mesh (Prolene mesh, 80 g/m) or a lightweight titanium-coated mesh (Ti Mesh light, 35 g/m).

RESULTS: There was no difference in reported pain at 24 hours postoperatively. The difference in reported pain at follow-up (mean: 21 mo) was insignificant [PP vs. Ti: 7.8% (n=5) vs. 8.3% (n=3), P=0.92], the differences regarding chronic inguinal pain was also insignificant [PP vs. Ti: 14% (n=9) vs. 5.5% (n=2), P=0.191], and there was no difference in the development of hernia recurrence [PP vs. Ti: 1.5% (n=1) vs. 0, P=0.42].

CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences of the overall postoperative outcome were observed between the 2 mesh types.