Return to Work in Patients With Unilateral Inguinal Hernia Surgery: A Comparative Study Between Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal Approach and Lichtenstein Tension-Free Mesh Repair

Objective The objective of this prospective cohort study was to compare the time to return to work between patients who underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) hernia repair and those who underwent Lichtenstein tension-free hernia repair with mesh for unilateral inguinal hernia. Methodology Patients were registered for unilateral inguinal hernia review at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2016 to April 2017 and followed till April 2020. All patients aged 16-65 planned for unilateral transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair or Lichtenstein tension-free hernia mesh repair were included. Patients with bilateral inguinal hernia repair, limited activity, or above retirement age were excluded. A non-probability consecutive sampling technique was implemented, and patients were divided into two cohort groups: Group A underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair, while Group B underwent Lichtenstein tension-free mesh repair. Patients were followed up at one week to inquire about the resumption of activities and then at one and three years for recurrence. Results Sixty-four patients met the inclusion criteria; three patients opted out of research, and 61 patients agreed to participate; one patient was excluded due to the conversion of the procedure. The remaining 30 in Group A and 30 in Group B were followed for the study period. The mean time to return to work in Group A was 5.33 ± 4.46 days; in Group B, it was 6.83 ± 4.58 days, with a p-value of 0.657. One recurrence was observed at three years in Group A. Conclusion Although the time to return to work at our hospital was slightly shorter in laparoscopic hernia repair than in the open technique, the results were not statistically significant. In addition, there was no significant difference in hernia recurrence at the one-year follow-up between laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair and Lichtenstein tension-free hernia mesh repair for unilateral inguinal hernia.