Aspectos técnicos y anatómicos de la reparación inguinal laparoscópica. Experiencia de 10 años

Objective: To report technical and anatomic details and results of a 10 year follow-up of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) method for repairing inguinal hernia. Design: It was performed a multicentric, prospective, longitudinal and observational, no randomized and non comparative study. Setting: Third level health care private hospitals. Material and methods: Between May 1993 to October 2003, 574 consecutive and non selective patients who were submitted to 722 laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repairs of inguinal hernia. Results: There were 241 females and 333 males with a mean age of 44 years. We found 277 indirect hernias, 161 directs, 102 mixed and 37 crural; 145 were bilateral. The complications were divided in transoperatory and postoperatory. There were (3.7%) 19 with hypercapnia and 1 hemorrhage. And there were 8 postoperative complications (1.3%), five recurrences (0.8%), one conversion (0.1%). There was not mortality. Conclusions: The results of the median follow-up show that the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repairs of inguinal hernia using the surgical technique described is a safe and effective method.