Laparoscopic versus Open Inguinal Hernia Repair A Systematic Review

Abstract

nguinal hernia repair is the most frequently performed operation in general surgery. However, the question about the most appropriate technique still confuses the community of surgeons. The standard method for inguinal hernia repair had changed little over a hundred years until the introduction of synthetic mesh. This mesh can be placed by either using an open approach or by using a minimal access laparoscopic technique. The most common laparoscopic techniques for inguinal hernia repair are transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. In TAPP the surgeon goes into the peritoneal cavity and places a mesh through a peritoneal incision over possible hernia sites. TEP is different as the peritoneal cavity is not entered and mesh is used to seal the hernia from outside the thin membrane covering the organs in the abdomen. After open surgical repair minor postoperative problems are not uncommon, while more serious complications, such as damage to the spermatic cord, or the genitofemoral or ilioinguinal nerves are occasionally reported on the other hand, after laparoscopic repair some serious complications have also been reported, such as nerve injuries, major vascular injuries, bowel obstruction, and bladder injury.