A Prospective Randomised Study Comparing Transabdominal Pre-Peritoneal Versus Totally Extra-Peritoneal Laparoscopic Approaches for Inguinal Hernia Repair

Background: Inguinal hernia repair is one of the most common surgical procedures undertaken in routine surgical practice worldwide. Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair has now become accepted as a standard method of treatment There are two widely accepted methods of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, transabdominal pre-peritoneal (TAPP) and totally extra-peritoneal (TEP). Materials and Methods: Our study was a prospective randomised study to compare the outcome of both TAPP and TEP for inguinal hernia repair and included a total of 120 patients who were diagnosed to have inguinal hernia and underwent surgical management electively for the same. They were randomised into both TAPP and TEP groups and the results were compared. Results: Amongst the two groups, laparoscopic TAPP repair required more time compared to laparoscopic TEP repair. However, post-operative pain, duration of hospital stays, complication rate and return to normal work did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Both laparoscopic TAPP and laparoscopic TEP repair are acceptable and equally efficacious treatment choices for inguinal hernia repair.