Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair versus open mesh plug repair for bilateral primary inguinal hernia

AIM: A few studies comparing laparoscopic and open techniques have reported that open repair with mesh is the optimal operation for unilateral primary hernia. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) versus open mesh plug repair (MP) for bilateral primary inguinal hernia. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 107 patients with bilateral primary inguinal hernia between January 2008 and December 2016. Of these patients, 49 underwent TAPP and 58 underwent MP. The surgical outcomes and the long‐term outcomes using a questionnaire were compared between TAPP and MP. RESULTS: In the TAPP group, the operation time was significantly longer (103 vs 91 minutes; P = .019). The postoperative complication rate was not significantly different between the two groups. One patient (1.0%) in the TAPP group and five patients (4.3%) in the MP group suffered recurrence (P = .30). Postoperative groin pain was not significantly different (14% in the TAPP group vs 31% in the MP group; P = .065), but more patients required analgesics in the MP group (4.1% vs 17%; P = .036). The long‐term outcomes, according to a questionnaire, were not significantly different between the two groups. The median follow‐up period was 22 (range, 0.4‐52) months in the TAPP group and 40 (range, 0.5‐108) months in the MP group (P < .001). CONCLUSION: TAPP for bilateral primary inguinal hernia achieved better results than MP relative to postoperative pain and the use of medication for pain relief without increasing the complication and recurrence rates.