Conventional inguinal hernia repair with self-fixating mesh versus totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic repair with polypropylene mesh: early postoperative results.

Objective:: to evaluate the early postoperative results of inguinal hernia repair by the conventional technique with self-fixating mesh versus laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair with polypropylene mesh. We compared pain, surgical time and early complications.

Methods:: this is a prospective, case-series study of 80 consecutive patients treated in the surgical clinic of the Gaffrée e Guinle University Hospital (HUGG). We included patients with unilateral inguinal hernia, not relapsed and operated only on an elective basis. We divided patients into two groups of 40 patients each, SF group (conventional technique using self-fixating mesh) and LP group (laparoscopic technique with polypropylene mesh). We followed patients up until the 45th postoperative day.

Results:: of the 80 patients, 98.7% were male and the majority had indirect right inguinal hernias (Nyhus II). There was no difference between the groups studied in respect to pain and operative time. However, more complications occurred (seroma and hematoma) in the open surgery group.

Conclusion:: both operations have proved feasible, safe and with minimal postoperative pain and a low operating time.