Transabdominal preperitoneal videolaparoscopic hernioplasty without mesh fixation

Background:

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) technique requires a stapler for mesh fixation, making the method expensive.

Aims:

To demonstrate the feasibility of videolaparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty (TAPP) without mesh fixation in patients who are not stage 3 according to the European Hernia Society classification.

Methods:

Forty patients underwent videolaparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty (TAPP) with a polypropylene mesh and without fixation from October 2017 to October 2018. After the procedure, outpatient follow-up appointments were scheduled until the 6^th postoperative month. In June 2020, the patients were contacted by phone and a follow-up questionnaire was administered.

Results:

A total of 52 hernias were operated on, as 25% of patients had bilateral hernias. No patient presented with recurrence or chronic pain. Late in the course of the procedure, 72.5% of patients were contacted, with a mean follow-up of 27.2 months. The incidence of surgical site infection was 12.5%.

Conclusions:

The inguinal hernia repair by hernioplasty (TAPP) without mesh fixation in grade I and II patients (European Hernia Society) is feasible.