Introduction
Inguinal hernia repair is the most common procedure in general and visceral
surgery worldwide. Over the past two decades, laparoscopic inguinal hernia
repair has become more and more popular.
Objectives
The aim of the present study was to compare between fixation and nonfixation of the
mesh in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.
Patients and methods
This prospective study was carried out on 58 consecutive male patients with
inguinal hernia. The patients were divided into two groups (A and B). Group A
patients were treated by using the mesh fixation transabdominal preperitoneal
(TAPP) repair, and group B patients were treated by using the mesh nonfixation
TAPP repair. Then, postoperative pain and hernia recurrence were evaluated for
the two groups.
Results
Highly significant difference was detected between the two groups as regards
postoperative pain. Whereas, only one (3.44%) recurrent case was found in group
B patients, which was found to be nonsignificant.
Conclusion
Mesh fixation as a routine appears to be unnecessary in TAPP repair. It is
associated with higher operative costs and an increased chronic groin pain
without increasing the risk for early hernia recurrence.