Single-incision laparoscopic TAPP mesh hernioplasty using conventional instruments: an evolving technique

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery transabdominal preperitoneal approach for recurrent inguinal hernia: A case series of long-term follow-up

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Laparoscopic surgery is recommended to treat recurrent inguinal hernia (IH). Single-incision laparoscopic surgery transabdominal pre-peritoneal (SILS-TAPP) has been an option for IH repair but few studies on the application of this method for recurrent IH was conducted. We aimed to report our experience of SILS-TAPP for recurrent IH and the long-term outcomes of this technique.

CASE PRESENTATION

Ten patients of recurrent IH, including three multiple recurrences, were successfully treated with SILS-TAPP. Previous surgeries were Bassini and Lichtenstein's procedures. No perioperative complications were observed; neither additional trocar nor conversion to open surgery was needed. Median operation time was 65 (range: 45-95) minutes. Post-operative pain lasted for two to three days. Neither long-term complications nor recurrence was seen until the median follow-up time of 37 (range: 16-53) months.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Although the surgical procedure of hernia repair of SILS-TAPP was the same as conventional TAPP, the manipulation of the instrument was technically challenging. This surgical method should be done by an SILS expert with application of several surgical tips to overcome difficulties adhering to single-port surgery. Also, meticulous and patient dissection of the inguinal site is suggested.

CONCLUSION

SILS-TAPP is safe and feasible to repair recurrent inguinal hernia. However, it should be done by experienced surgeons.

Current status of single-port versus multi-port approach in laparoscopic inguinal hernia mesh repair: an up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis

A meta-analysis was conducted to provide an up-to-date comparison of single-port and multi-port approach, in laparoscopic inguinal hernia mesh repair. This meta-analysis was performed on the basis of the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The electronic databases (MEDLINE, Web of Science and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials) were systematically screened. Fixed Effects or Random Effects model was used, according to the Cochran Q test. In total 16 eligible studies were found. There was no statistically significant difference, regarding unilateral operation duration, between the two approaches, in TEP (OR - 4.61; 95% CI - 9.70, 0.47, p = 0.08) or TAPP (OR - 1.96; 95% CI - 4.89, 0.97, p = 0.19) procedures. Similarly, in both operative modalities, no superiority of either approach was proven, in terms of conversion rate (TEP OR 0.69, p = 0.48; TAPP OR 5.46, p = 0.31), length of hospital stay (TEP WMD 0.00, p = 0.76; TAPP WMD - 0.11, p = 0.42) and overall complication rate (TEP OR 1.10, p = 0.51; TAPP OR 0.74, p = 0.43). Overall, single-port and the established multi-port approach in inguinal hernia mesh repair, are equivalent, regarding the postoperative outcomes. Given several limitations, further RCTs, of higher methodological and quality level are required.

A comparative study of single incision versus conventional laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

BACKGROUND

Over the past years, safety and feasibility of conventional laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair was well established. However, conventional laparoscopic hernia repair (CL) usually requires three working ports ranging from 5 to 10 mm, and each increasing port is associated with possible increasing morbidity and pain related to ports. This has led to the development of single incision laparoscopic hernia repair (SIL) which can further reduce the port-related morbidities and improve cosmetic outcomes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of SIL using both transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) and totally preperitoneal (TEP) approaches and compare the patients' wound satisfaction between the two groups.

METHODS

This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data. We analyzed the results of patients who underwent either CL or SIL for inguinal hernia between January 2011 and July 2012 in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital. Patients' demographic details, type of hernia, operative time, mesh used, and post-operative complications were compared. A telephone survey was also conducted to evaluate patients' subjective wound satisfaction.

RESULTS

In total, 32 SIL and 35 CL procedures were performed in this period. The two groups were matched for age, sex, type of hernia and ASA grading. The mean operative time was significantly shorter in the CL group (52.6 vs. 62.6 min, p = 0.02). All SIL procedures were completed successfully without conversion to CL or open repair and post-operative complications such as wound infection, seroma, recurrence and chronic pain were also comparable between the two groups. As for the telephone survey, SIL groups' wound is less obvious and less detectable by others as compared to CL, but on the whole both groups of patients are very satisfied with the wound outcomes. All the SIL groups would continue with their decision on SIL and 60 % of CL group would choose SIL if they had to go back in time.

CONCLUSION

Our results have shown that in experienced hands, SIL is feasible and as safe as CL. Further randomized trials should be performed to evaluate the clinical application of single incision TEP and TAPP.

Single-port endo-laparoscopic surgery in combined abdominal procedures

Single-port endo-laparoscopic surgery has gained support in the surgical community because it is perceived to offer a better postoperative outcome as it requires only a single incision. We write this prospective observational study to ascertain the feasibility and safety of this technique in patients otherwise requiring two operations. Five patients who underwent double procedures with a single-port device were reviewed: Case 1, a transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair and gastric wedge resection; Case 2, cholecystectomy and diaphragmatic hernia repair; Case 3, oophorectomy and incisional hernia repair; Case 4, anterior resection of the rectum and hepatic segmentectomy; and Case 5, left adrenalectomy and cholecystectomy. Patient demographics, type of port used, operative time, complications and incision length were collected. Mean operative time for the cases ranged from 100 to 315 min. Incision length for the single-port device was 2 cm. In Case 2, an additional 5-mm port was used and an intraoperative complication involving a laceration of the liver occurred during the suturing of the gallbladder fundus. An additional 8-cm lower abdominal incision (Pfannenstiel) was required in Case 4 to complete the colonic anastomosis and for specimen retrieval. Single-port endo-laparoscopic surgery is a feasible and safe technique for approaching double procedures. It drastically reduces the number of scars that a double procedure creates, and if difficulty arises, another port can always be added to ease the operation. It can also potentially reduce the number of admissions and anesthesia that a patient undergoes.

Sliding inguinal hernias: scope of laparoscopic repair

BACKGROUND

Sliding hernias are an uncommon type of inguinal hernia. Very little is published in the literature regarding the outcome of laparoscopic repair of sliding hernia. The present series evaluates the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic repair of these hernias.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained data of patients with sliding inguinal hernia undergoing laparoscopic repair from January 2003 to July 2010 was done. The patient demographics, clinical presentations, operative details, and complications were studied. Related literature was reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 1136 patients underwent laparoscopic repair of inguinal hernia, of which 54 patients had sliding inguinal hernia (4.7%). Forty-one patients (76%) had left-sided hernia and 13 patients (24%) had right-sided hernias. Mean age of presentation was 63.5 years. Thirty-five patients (64.8%) presented as complicated hernias (27 irreducible, 7 obstructed, and 1 strangulated). Thirty-nine patients had sigmoid colon, 9 patients had cecum, 3 patients had ascending colon, and 3 patients had urinary bladder as the sliding component. Eight patients underwent Lichtenstein repair, 27 patients transabdominal preperitoneal repair, and 19 patients total extraperitoneal repair. Mean operating time of laparoscopic repair was 53 minutes (40-105 minutes). Five procedures (10.8%) were converted to open repair. Overall morbidity was 44.4%. Median hospital stay was 1.5 days (1-14 days). There were no recurrences in up to 7 years follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic repair of sliding inguinal hernia is feasible and safe with good outcome. Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach is the preferable method.

Laparoendoscopic single-site extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: initial experience in 10 patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recent technical advances and a trend toward laparoscopic single incision surgery have led us to explore the feasibility of laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) hernia repair.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We present our technique and initial experience with LESS extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair in 10 consecutive men with unilateral inguinal hernias. Age range was 43.7 (28-64) years. Mean body mass index was 28 (range 24-30). Six were left inguinal hernias. There were six indirect and four direct hernias. Three patients had undergone previous open appendectomy. Incarcerated or bilateral hernias were excluded from our initial series. All cases were performed by three surgeons who were experienced in conventional totally extraperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair as well as experienced in LESS. A literature review of current single-port inguinal hernia repair data is also presented.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 53 minutes (range 45-65  min). The average length of skin incision was 2.8  cm (range 2.3-3.2  cm). No drain was necessary in any of the patients, while no recordable bleeding was observed. There were no intraoperative or immediate postoperative complications. Hospitalization period was 2 days for all patients. After a limited follow-up of 1 month, there have been no recurrences and no complaints of testicular pain. The results of the current series compare favorably with those found in a literature review.

CONCLUSION

LESS extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair is both feasible and safe, although more technically demanding than its conventional laparoscopic counterpart. Although the cosmetic result with the former approach may prove superior, there are standing questions regarding the complications and long-term outcome. Randomized and if possible blinded trials that compare conventional and single-incision laparoscopic hernia repair may help to distinguish the most advantageous technique.

Single-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair using only conventional instruments: an initial report

INTRODUCTION

Notes is the logical answer to scarless surgery, but despite being around for almost 4-5 years, it has to still garner a major support because of a number of limitations. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery, especially when done through the umbilicus, should be the perfect answer as far as the absence of any visible scar is concerned.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All the 67 patients were operated by the same surgeon through a transversely placed umbilical incision in the lower half of the umbilicus. Three conventional ports, 10, 5, and 5  mm, were introduced through the same skin incision but separate transfacial punctures. The instruments included 10-mm and 5-mm 30° rigid telescopes and rigid instruments as in standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients with irreducible hernia and obstructed hernia were included, and those with strangulated hernia were excluded.

RESULTS

All the patients were men, with an average age of 38.6 years. Three patients had bilateral hernia and 2 each had irreducible and obstructed hernia. The mean operating time was 42.8 minutes for unilateral hernias when tackers were used and 51.7 minutes in those in whom intracorporeal suturing was done. The operating time for bilateral hernias was 71.7 minutes. There was minimal flap discharge, without infection, in 3 patients. There were no other complications. There were no conversions and no recurrences upto 9 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Transumbilical single-skin-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for groin hernias, performed solely with conventional instruments, is feasible, easy to learn, and probably the future of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.