Laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (TEP) mesh repair for femoral hernia in a patient of child B liver cirrhosis with ascites. A case report

INTRODUCTION: Femoral hernia is infrequently encountered in surgical practice and is even rare in patients with liver cirrhosis. Recurrent pain adds to the existing morbidity and affects the quality of life of these patients. Management of such cases had rather high rates of morbidity and mortality owing to hepatic decompensation. However, more recent studies have shown a significant improvement of the quality of life and improved rates of morbidity in cirrhotic patients with inguinal hernias post repair. These studies all included open hernia repair with preperitoneal approach with improved results in terms of morbidity and lower rates of recurrence postoperatively. However, when compared to laparoscopic repairs these have more postoperative complications, complication related re-operations, pain and recurrence rates. Keeping these in mind, the laparoscopic approach was considered in our patient which has not been described yet in literature for femoral hernia. The report is in line with the SCARE criteria. (Agha et al. (2018) [1]) The case report is registered with research registry (UID researchregistry5467). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 40 year old female patient with Child B cirrhosis of liver with ascites was operated for a symptomatic left uncomplicated femoral hernia using standard three port laparoscopic total extraperitoneal repair with prolene mesh. She was discharged on postoperative day 2. She developed ascitic leak from the hypogastric port site in the late postoperative period which was managed conservatively. The patient has remained stable without recurrence at one year follow up. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic TEP may be a safe option with no major adverse events in symptomatic femoral hernias. Further studies are needed to ascertain its role.