Laparoscopic Hernia Repair Using the Totally Extraperitoneal Procedure with Mesh: A Retrospective Study at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Vietnam.

Background: In the last 30 years, two revolutions have occurred in inguinal hernia repair surgery. In 1989, Liechtenstein launched tension-free hernia treatment, and in the early 1990s, laparoscopic surgery was used to treat inguinal hernias.

Aim: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal and femoral hernia repair.

Methods: This retrospective study of 182 patients treated using the TEP technique at Bachmai Hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 was done. Patient demographic data, peri-operative, and outpatient follow-up were studied.

Results: The study examined 207 hernia repairs. Patients were 99.4% male. The median age was 59 (18-85) of the 167 primary hernia patients. The average operation time for bilateral inguinal hernias was longer than for unilateral (86.3 vs 53.6 minutes). The conversion rates to transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair and open surgery were 1.1% and 0.55%, respectively. Epigastric artery injury, port site infection, hematoma, and seroma were 1.09%, 1.6%, 0.55%, and 10.9%, respectively. The average hospital stay was 3.2 days (1-8 days). Two patients who developed recurrence were dealt with open mesh repair.

Conclusion: The TEP method is safe, feasible, and effective for treating inguinal hernias.