A novel transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty technique in the repair of large inguinal hernias: The use of polypropylene mesh in the form of plug-patch

Abstract

Objective: To describe the outcome of modified transabdominal laparoscopic preperitoneal (TAPP) hernioplasty repair with plug-patch of polypropylene mesh.

Study Design: A descriptive study.

Place and Duration of Study: Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University Training and Research Hospital, Alanya, Turkey from December 2017 to December 2019.

Methodology: Patients aged 18-70 years, who underwent TAPP hernioplasty at this clinic between December 2017 and 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. Those with a defect diameter of 3 cm and above, which were measured intraoperatively, were considered as large inguinal hernias. A modified TAPP procedure that includes the plug-patch technique, using polyester mesh, similar to that of open inguinal hernia repair, was performed on these patients. Complications and recurrences frequency was noted.

Results: This modified TAPP procedure was applied to 35 patients (24 men, 11 women). The defect size was 3-4 cm in 24 patients, and 4 cm in 11 patients. None of the patients developed chronic pain. Five patients had a feeling of fullness in the inguinal region where the repair was performed, and their complaints subsided at the first month of follow-up. Seroma developed in 2 patients, but resolved spontaneously. During the follow-up period, no chronic complications or recurrences were observed.

Conclusion: This technique is simple and does not create a serious cost burden on TAPP technique. Furthermore, it can be applied routinely with the advantages of low pain, rapid recovery and acceptable complication rates as well as the reduction of pseudo-recurrence rates.