Current status and future perspectives of robotic inguinal hernia repair

With more than 5500 da Vinci Surgical System (DVSS) installed worldwide, the robotic approach for general surgery, including for inguinal hernia repair, is gaining popularity in the USA. However, in many countries outside the USA, robotic surgery is performed at only a few advanced institutions; therefore, its advantages over the open or laparoscopic approaches for inguinal hernia repair are unclear. Several retrospective studies have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of robotic inguinal hernia repair, but there is still no firm evidence to support the superiority of robotic surgery for this procedure or its long-term clinical outcomes. Robotic surgery has the potential to overcome the disadvantages of conventional laparoscopic surgery through appropriate utilization of technological advantages, such as wristed instruments, tremor filtering, and high-resolution 3D images. The potential benefits of robotic inguinal hernia repair are lower rates of complications or recurrence than open and laparoscopic surgery, with less postoperative pain, and a rapid learning curve for surgeons. In this review, we summarize the current status and future prospects of robotic inguinal hernia repair and discuss the issues associated with this procedure.

Inguinal bladder hernia treated using transabdominal preperitoneal approach: A case report

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Inguinal bladder hernia (IBH) is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively.

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16% of IBHs are diagnosed postoperatively due to bladder injury and leakage.

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Preoperative diagnosis of IBHs is important to lessen postoperative complications.

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Transabdominal preperitoneal approach can significantly reduce the risk of bladder damage.

Introduction

Inguinal bladder hernia (IBH) is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively based only on physical examination; 16% of IBHs are diagnosed postoperatively due to complications.

Presentation of case

We report the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with left inguinal swelling and increased frequency of urination since eight years. Physical examination demonstrated a 6 × 4 cm non-reducible left inguinal bulge with mild tenderness on palpation. Computed tomography revealed a left inguinal hernia containing a portion of the urinary bladder. He was diagnosed with IBH and transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair was performed. We confirmed a left internal inguinal hernia and incised the peritoneum from the outside of the left inguinal ring. The preperitoneal space was dissected toward the Retzius space, and the prolapsed bladder was examined. The adhesion with the surroundings was carefully dissected and the bladder was reduced into the abdomen. Indigo carmine was injected through a urinary catheter, which confirmed that no bladder damage had occurred. After the mesh was positioned to cover the myopectineal orifice, it was fixed to the Cooper’s ligaments, interior side, lateral side, and ventral side. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient is now free of symptoms and recurrence two months after surgery.

Conclusion

TAPP repair is a useful treatment for IBH. Preoperative diagnosis of IBH is important to lessen postoperative complications.

Minimally Invasive Approaches to Inguinal Hernias

Both the transabdominal preperitoneal approach and the total extraperitoneal approach to inguinal hernias provide an effective means of repairing inguinal hernias. The robotic platform can be used and may help to decrease immediate postoperative pain; however, as this is a fairly new technique, more research will help further determine long-term outcomes. In all methods of fixation, we ensure adequate fixation medially with tacks placed on the Cooper ligament. Awareness of the nerves and vessels helps to guide dissection as well as prevent inadvertent injury during mesh fixation.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach for giant inguinal hernias

BACKGROUND

Many surgical techniques have been developed to treat inguinal hernia. In recent years, the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach has been widely performed to repair inguinal hernia. Giant inguinal hernia (GIH) is an extremely rare disease that is a challenge for general surgeons. GIH appears when patients neglect the treatment for many years and it is defined as an inguinal hernia that extends below the midpoint of inner thigh in standing position. According to previous publications, the Lichtenstein tension-free hernioplasty is recommended to repair GIH. In this article, we describe consecutive four cases of GIH repaired via the TAPP approach.

METHODS

From April 2015 to March 2017, 200 patients underwent hernioplasty against inguinal hernia at our hospital. Inguinal hernias were treated via the TAPP approach in principle. We performed hernioplasty via the TAPP approach in all 4 patients (2%) who met the definition of Type 1 GIH. Demographic information, maximum diameter of hernia sac, hernia orifice size, and surgical data were obtained.

RESULTS

The mean operative time was 135 min. No intraoperative complications were encountered. All patients could walk from postoperative day 1 and were discharged home early, but they all had scrotal seromas. Three patients did not need puncture or drainage, but one of them required puncture. All seromas disappeared within 6 months. There was no recurrence in the 8- to 24-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The TAPP approach is a feasible, safe therapeutic option that may reduce wound size and pain following surgical treatment of Type 1 GIH.

Use of barbed suture for peritoneal closure in transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair

AIM: To investigate the use of the V-Loc wound closure device for transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair.

METHODS: We performed conventional transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair in 19 patients, including one single incisional case using V-Loc. Except for the use of V-Loc for peritoneal closure, the procedures were the same as those used in conventional techniques.

RESULTS: Although the operators included 2 residents who have no experience in laparoscopic herniorrhaphy and intracorporeal suture, the operations were completed. We believe that V-Loc is especially suitable for inexperienced surgeons and the use of V-Loc reduces the operative time by a small amount but reduces operator stress significantly.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that V-Loc is the ideal peritoneal closure device for transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair.