Comparison of the Results of Lichtenstein Method and Laparoscopic Total Extraperitoneal Method in Inguinal Hernia Repair

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to compare the results of open Lichtenstein repair (OLR) and laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair methods in inguinal hernia (IH).
METHODS: Between January 2017 and December 2018, 201 patients who underwent TEP and OLR methods for IH in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. TEP was performed in 98 of these patients and OLR was performed in 103 patients. The patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, hernia type, operation time, early and late postoperative complications, length of hospital stay and accompanying diseases.
RESULTS: One hundred forty-five (72.5%) of 201 patients had right IH and 56 (27.5%) had left IH. TEP group and OLR group were similar in terms of age, gender, hernia type and comorbidity. Our mean follow-up period was 24(18-36) months. The average operation time was 61.2 (40-80) minutes in TEP and 55.4 (45-70) minutes in the OLR group; It was significantly longer in the TEP group (P<0.05). Postoperative early complications were 7 (7.1%) in TEP and 10 (9.8%) in OLR, the difference was not significant. Postoperative recurrence was detected in 2(2.04%) cases in TEP and in 2(1.94%) cases in OLR, and no significant difference was found. The length of hospitalstay is equal in both groups.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In our study, although the operative time was longer in the TEP group than in the OLR, no difference was observed between the length of hospital stay, postoperative complications and recurrence rates. We believe that TEP method will be applied in a shorter time as experience and experience increase.